LIBRARY 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  BARBARA 


PRESENTED  BY 

DR.  HERBERT  FINGARETTE 
U.C.S.B. 


(y: 


^^/?-  i_;^;?^  ^ti^2.c>e^' 


CHARLES    O'MALLEY 

BY 

CHARLES   LEVER. 


WITH     ILLUSTRATIONS     BY     PHIZ. 


IN    TWO    VOLUMES. 
VOL.  I.. 


BOSTON: 
LITTLE,  BROWN,  AND   COMPANY. 

1904. 


University  Press: 
John  Wilson  and  Son,  Cambridge,  U.S.A. 


'    '^  LJBKARY 

4  88  'f  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

SANTA  BARBARA 

(152, 

^'    I  TO   THE 

MOST  NOBLE  THE  MARQUESS  OF  DOURO, 

M.P.,    D.C.L.,    ETC.,    ETC. 


Mt  Dear  Lord,  — 

The  imperfect  attempt  to  picture  forth  some  scenes  of  the  most 
brilliant  period  of  my  country's  history  might  naturally  suggest  their 
dedication  to  the  son  of  him  who  gave  that  era  its  glory.  I  feel,  how- 
ever, in  the  weakness  of  the  effort,  the  presumption  of  such  a  thought, 
and  would  simply  ask  of  you  to  accept  these  volumes  as  a  souvenir  of 
many  delightful  hours  passed  long  since  in  your  society,  and  a  testi- 
mony of  the  deep  pride  with  which  I  regard  the  honor  of  your 
friendship. 

Believe  me,  my  dear  Lord,  with  every  respect  and  esteem. 

Yours,  most  sincerely, 

THE  AUTHOR. 
Beussels,  November,  1841. 


A  WORD   OF  EXPLANATION. 


Kind  Public, — 

Having  so  lately  taken  my  leave  of  the  stage,  in  a 
farewell  benefit,  It  is  but  fitting  that  I  should  explain  the 
circumstances  which  once  more  bring  me  before  you,  —  that 
I  may  not  appear  intrusive,  where  1  have  met  with  but  too 
much  indulgence. 

A  blushing  debutant  —  entre  nous,  the  most  impudent 
Irishman  that  ever  swaggered  down  Sackville  Street  —  has 
requested  me  to  present  him  to  your  acquaintance.  He  has 
every  ambition  to  be  a  favorite  with  you  ;  but  says  —  God 
forgive  him  —  he  is  too  bashful  for  the  foot-lights. 

He  has  remarked  —  as,  doubtless,  many  others  have  done 
—  upon  what  very  slight  grounds,  and  with  what  slender  pre- 
tension, my  Confessions  have  met  with  favor  at  the  hands  of 
the  press  and  the  pubHc  ;  and  the  idea  has  occurred  to  him  to 
indite  his  own.  Had  his  determination  ended  here,  I  should 
have  nothing  to  object  to ;  but  unfortunately,  he  expects 
me  to  become  his  editor,  and  in  some  sort  responsible  for 
the  faults  of  his  production.  I  have  wasted  much  eloquence 
and  more  breath  in  assuring  him  that  I  was  no  tried  favorite 
of  the  public,  who  dared  take  liberties  with  them  ;  that  the 
small  rag  of  reputation  I  enjoyed,  was  a  very  scanty  cover- 
ing for  my  own  nakedness  ;  that  the  plank  which  swam  with 
one,  would  most  inevitably  sink  with  two  ;  and  lastly,  that 
the  indulgence  so  often  bestowed  upon  a  first  effort  is  as 
frequently  converted  into   censure   on   the   older   offender. 


Vi  A    WORD    or    EXPLANATION. 

My  arguments  have,  however,  totally  failed,  and  he  remains 
obdurate  and  unmoved.  Under  these  circumstances  I  have 
yielded  ;  and  as,  happily  for  me,  the  short  and  pithy  direc- 
tion to  the  river  Thames,  in  the  Critic,  "  to  keep  between  its 
banks,"  has  been  imitated  by  my  friend,  I  find  all  that  is 
required  of  me  is  to  write  my  name  upon  the  title  and  go 
in  peace.     Such,  he  informs  me,  is  modern  editorship. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  beg,  that  if  the  debt  he  now  incurs 
at  your  hands  remain  unpaid,  you  would  kindly  bear  in 
mind  that  your  remedy  lies  against  the  drawer  of  the  bill 
and  not  against  its  mere  humble  iudorser, 

HARRY  LORREQUER 
Brussels,  March,  1840. 


PREFACE. 


The  success  of  Hany  Lorrequer  was  the  reason  for 
writing  Charles  O'Malley.  That  I  myself  was  in  no  wise 
prepared  for  the  favor  the  public  bestowed  on  my  first 
attempt  is  easily  enough  understood.  The  ease  with  which 
I  strung  my  stories  together,  —  aud  in  reality  the  Confes- 
sions of  Harry  Lorrequer  are  little  other  than  a  note-book  of 
absurd  and  laughable  incidents,  —  led  me  to  believe  that  I 
could  draw  on  this  vein  of  composition  without  any  limit 
whatever.  I  felt,  or  thought  I  felt,  an  inexhaustible  store 
of  fun  and  buoyancy  within  me,  and  I  began  to  have  a 
misty,  half-confused  impression  that  Englishmen  generally 
labored  under  a  sad-colored  temperament.,  took  depressing 
views  of  life,  and  were  proportionately  grateful  to  any  one 
who  would  rally  them  even  passingly  out  of  their  despon- 
dency, and  give  them  a  laugh  without  much  trouble  for 
going  in  search  of  it. 

When  I  set  to  work  to  write  Charles  O'Malley  I  was,  as  I 
have  ever  been,  very  low  with  fortune,  and  the  success  of  a 
new  venture  was  pretty  much  as  eventful  to  me  as  the  turn  of 
the  right  color  at  rouge-et-noir.  At  the  same  time  I  had 
then  an  amount  of  spring  in  my  temperament,  and  a  power 
of  enjoying  life  which  I  can  honestly  say  I  never  found  sur- 
passed. The  world  had  for  me  all  the  interest  of  an  admir- 
able comedy,  in  which  the  part  allotted  myself,  if  not  a  high 
or  a  foreground  one,  was  eminently  suited  to  my  taste,  and 
brought  me,  besides,  sufficiently  often  on  the  stage  to  enable 
me  to  follow  all  the  fortunes  of  the  piece.  Brussels,  where 
I  was  then  living,  was  adorned  at  the  period  by  a  most 


Vlil  PREFACE. 

agreeable  English  society.  Some  leaders  of  the  fashionable 
world  of  London  had  come  there  to  refit  and  recruit,  both  in 
body  and  estate.  There  were  several  pleasant  and  a  great 
number  of  pretty  people  among  them  ;  and  so  far  as  I  could 
judge,  the  fashionable  dramas  of  Belgrave  Square  and  its 
vicinity  were  being  performed  in  the  Rue  Royale  and  the  Bou- 
levard de  Waterloo  with  very  considerable  success.  There 
were  dinners,  balls,  dejeftners,  and  picnics  in  the  Bois  de 
Cambre,  excursions  to  Waterloo,  and  select  little  parties  to 
Bois-f ort,  —  a  charming  little  resort  in  the  forest  whose  in- 
tense cockneyism  became  perfectly  inoffensive  as  being  in  a 
foreign  land,  and  remote  from  the  invasion  of  home-bred 
vulgarity.  I  mention  all  these  things  to  show  the  adjuncts 
by  which  I  was  aided,  and  the  rattle  of  gayety  by  which  I 
was,  as  it  were,  "  accompanied,"  when  1  next  tried  my 
voice. 

The  soldier  element  tinctured  strongly  our  society,  and  1 
will  say  most  agreeably.  Among  those  whom  I  remember 
best  were  several  old  Peninsulars.  Lord  Combermere  was 
of  this  number,  and  another  of  our  set  was  an  officer  who 
accompanied,  if  indeed  he  did  not  command,  the  first  boat 
party  who  crossed  the  Douro.  It  is  needless  to  say  how  I 
cultivated  a  society  so  full  of  all  the  storied  details  I  was 
eager  to  obtain,  and  how  generously  disposed  were  they  to 
give  me  all  the  information  I  needed.  On  topography  espe- 
cially were  they  valuable  to  me,  and  with  such  good  result 
that  I  have  been  more  than  once  complimented  on  the  accu- 
racy of  my  descriptions  of  places  which  I  have  never  seen  and 
whose  features  I  have  derived  entirely  from  the  narratives 
of  my  friends. 

When,  therefore,  my  publishers  asked  me  could  I  write  a 
story  in  the  Lorrequer  vein,  in  which  active  service  and 
military  adventure  could  figure  more  prominently  than  mere 
civilian  life,  and  where  the  achievements  of  a  British  army 
might  form  the  staple  of  the  narrative, — when  this  question 
was  propounded  me,  I  was  ready  to  reply  :  Not  one,  but  fifty. 
Do  not  mistake  me,  and  suppose  that  any  overweening  con- 
fidence in  my  literary  powers  would  have  emboldened  me  to 
make  this  reply ;  my  whole  strength  lay  in  the  fact  that  I 


PREFACE.  IX 

could  not  recognize  anything  like  literary  effort  in  the  matter. 
If  the  world  would  only  condescend  to  read  that  which  I 
wrote  precisely  as  I  was  in  the  habit  of  talking,  nothing 
could  be  easier  than  for  me  to  occupy  them.  Not  alone  was 
it  very  easy  to  me,  but  it  was  intensely  interesting  and  amus- 
ing to  myself,  to  be  so  engaged. 

The  success  of  Harry  Lorrequer  had  been  freely  wafted 
across  the  German  ocean,  but  even  in  its  mildest  accents  it 
was  very  intoxicating  incense  to  me  ;  and  I  set  to  work  on 
my  second  book  with  a  thrill  of  hope  as  regards  the  world's 
favor  which  —  and  it  is  no  small  thing  to  say  it —  I  can  yet 
recall. 

I  can  recall,  too,  and  I  am  afraid  more  vividly  still,  some 
of  the  difficulties  of  my  task  when  I  endeavored  to  form 
anything  like  an  accurate  or  precise  idea  of  some  campaign- 
ing incident  or  some  passage  of  arms  from  the  narratives  of 
two  distinct  and  separate  "  eye-witnesses."  What  mistrust 
I  conceived  for  all  eye-witnesses  from  my  own  brief  expe- 
rience of  their  testimonies  !  What  an  impulse  did  it  lend  me 
to  study  the  nature  and  the  temperament  of  narrator,  as 
Indicative  of  the  peculiar  coloring  he  might  lend  his  narra- 
tive ;  and  how  it  taught  me  to  know  the  force  of  the  French 
epigram  that  has  declared  how  it  was  entirely  the  alternating 
popularity  of  Marshal  Soult  that  decided  whether  he  won  or 
lost  the  battle  of  Toulouse. 

While,  however,  I  was  sifting  these  evidences,  and  sepa- 
rating, as  well  as  I  might,  the  wheat  from  the  chaff,  I  was  in 
a  measure  training  myself  for  what,  without  my  then  know- 
ing it,  was  to  become  my  career  in  life.  This  was  not  there- 
fore altogether  without  a  certain  degree  of  labor,  but  so  light 
and  pleasant  withal,  so  full  of  picturesque  peeps  at  charac- 
ter and  humorous  views  of  human  nature,  that  it  would 
be  the  very  rankest  ingratitude  of  me  if  I  did  not  own  that 
I  gained  all  my  earlier  experiences  of  the  world  in  very 
pleasant  company, — highly  enjoyable  at  the  time,  and  with 
matter  for  charming  souvenirs  long  after. 

That  certain  traits  of  my  acquaintances  found  themselves 
embodied  in  some  of  the  characters  of  this  story  I  do  not 
seek  to  deny.     The  principal  of    natural  selection  adapts 


X  PREFACE. 

itself  to  novels  as  to  Nature,  and  it  would  have  demanded  an 
effort  above  my  strength  to  have  disabused  myself  at  the 
desk  of  all  the  impressions  of  the  dinner-table,  and  to  have 
forgotten  features  which  interested  or  amused  me. 

One  of  the  personages  of  my  tale  I  drew,  however,  with 
very  little  aid  from  fancy.  I  would  go  so  far  as  to  say  that 
I  took  him  from  the  life,  if  my  memory  did  not  confront  me 
with  the  lamentable  inferiority  of  my  picture  to  the  great 
original  it  was  meant  to  portray. 

With  the  exception  of  the  quality  of  courage,  I  never  met 
a  man  who  contained  within  himself  so  many  of  the  traits  of 
Falstaff  as  the  individual  who  furnished  me  with  Major 
Monsoon.  But  the  major —  I  must  call  him  so,  though  that 
rank  was  far  beneath  his  own  —  was  a  man  of  unquestion- 
able bravery.  His  powers  as  a  story-teller  were  to  my  think- 
ing unrivalled ;  the  peculiar  reflections  on  life  which  he 
would  passingly  introduce,  the  wise  apothegms,  were  after  a 
moralit}'  essentially  of  his  own  invention.  Then  he  would  in- 
dulge in  the  unsparing  exhibition  of  himself  in  situations  such 
as  other  men  would  never  have  confessed  to,  all  blended  up 
with  a  racy  enjoyment  of  life,  dashed  occasionally  with  sor- 
row that  our  tenure  of  it  was  short  of  patiiarchal.  All 
these,  accompanied  by  a  face  redolent  of  intense  humor,  and 
a  voice  whose  modulations  were  managed  with  the  skill  of  a 
consummate  artist,  —  all  these,  I  say,  were  above  me  to 
convey ;  nor  mdeed  as  I  re-read  any  of  the  adventures  in 
which  he  figures,  am  I  other  than  ashamed  at  the  weakness 
of  my  drawing  and  the  poverty  of  my  coloring. 

That  I  had  a  better  claim  to  personify  him  than  is  always 
the  lot  of  a  novelist ;  that  I  possessed,  so  to  say,  a  vested 
interest  in  his  life  and  adventures,  —  I  will  relate  a  little 
incident  in  proof  ;  and  my  accuracy,  if  necessary,  can  be 
attested  by  another  actor  in  the  scene,  who  yet  survives. 

I  was  living  a  bachelor  life  at  Brussels,  my  family  being  at 
Ostende  for  the  bathing,  during  the  summer  of  1840.  The 
city  was  comparatively  empty,  —  all  the  so-called  society 
being  absent  at  the  various  spas  or  baths  of  Germany.  One 
member  of  the  British  Legation,  who  remained  at  his  posttc 
represent  the  mission,  and  myself,  making  common  cause  oi 


PREFACE.  ^1 

our  desolation  and  ennui,  spent  much  of  our  time  together, 
and  dined  t^te-cl-tete  every  day. 

It  chanced  that  one  evening,  as  we  were  hastening  through 
the  park  on  our  way  to  dinner,  we  espied  the  major  —  for  as 
major  I  must  speak  of  him  —  lounging  along  with  that  half- 
careless,  half-observant  air  we  had  both  of  us  remarked  as 
indicating  a  desire  to  be  somebody's,  anybody's  guest,  rather 
than  surrender  himself  to  the  homeliness  of  domestic  fare. 

"  There  's  that  confounded  old  Monsoon,"  cried  my  diplo- 
matic friend.  "It's  all  up  if  he  sees  us,  and  I  can't  endure 
him." 

Now,  I  must  remark  that  my  friend,  though  very  far  from 
insensible  to  the  humoristic  side  of  the  major's  character, 
was  not  always  in  the  vein  to  enjoy  it ;  and  when  so  indis- 
posed he  could  invest  the  object  of  his  dislike  with  some- 
thing little  short  of  antipathy.  "Promise  me,"  said  he,  as 
Monsoon  came  towards  us,  —  "promise  me,  you'll  not  ask 
him  to  dinner."  Before  T  could  make  any  reply,  the  major 
was  shaking  a  hand  of  either  of  us,  and  rapturously  expatiat- 
ing over  his  good  luck  at  meeting  us.  "  Mrs.  M.,"  said  he, 
"  has  got  a  dreary  party  of  old  ladies  to  dine  with  her,  and 
I  have  come  out  here  to  find  some  pleasant  fellow  to  join 
me,  and  take  our  mutton-chop  together." 

"  "We  're  behind  our  time,  Major,"  said  my  friend,  "  sorry 
to  leave  you  so  abruptly,  but  must  push  on.  Eh,  Lorrequer," 
added  he,  to  evoke  corroboration  on  my  part. 

"  Harry  says  nothing  of  the  kind,"  replied  Monsoon,  "  he 
says,  or  he 's  going  to  say, '  Major,  I  have  a  nice  bit  of  dinner 
waiting  for  me  at  home,  enough  for  two,  will  feed  three,  or  if 
there  be  a  short-coming,  nothing  easier  than  to  eke  out  the 
deficiency  b}'  another  bottle  of  Moulton ;  come  along  with 
us  then.  Monsoon,  and  we  shall  be  all  the  merrier  for  your 
company.' " 

Repeating  his  last  words,  "  Come  along.  Monsoon,"  etc., 
I  passed  my  arm  within  his,  and  away  we  went.  For  a 
moment  my  friend  tried  to  get  free  and  leave  me,  but  I  held 
him  fast  and  carried  him  along  in  spite  of  himself.  He  was, 
however,  so  chagrined  and  provoked  that  till  the  moment  we 
reached  my  door  he  never  uttered  a  word,  nor  paid  the  slight- 


XU  PREFACE. 

est  attention  to  Monsoon,  who  talked  away  in  a  vein  that 
occasionally  made  gravity  all  but  impossible. 

Our  dinner  proceeded  drearily  enough,  the  diplomatist's 
stiffness  never  relaxed  for  a  moment,  and  my  own  awkward- 
ness damped  all  my  attempts  at  conversation.  Not  so,  how- 
ever. Monsoon,  he  ate  heartily,  approved  of  everything,  and 
pronounced  my  wine  to  be  exquisite.  He  gave  us  a  perfect 
discourse  on  sherry  and  Spanish  wines  in  general,  told  us 
the  secret  of  the  Amontillado  flavor,  and  explained  that 
process  of  browning  by  boiling  down  wine  which  some  are 
so  fond  of  in  England.  At  last,  seeing  perhaps  that  the 
protection  had  little  charm  for  us,  with  his  accustomed  tact, 
he  diverged  into  anecdote.  "  I  was  once  fortunate  enough," 
said  he,  "  to  fall  upon  some  of  that  choice  sherry  from  the 
St.  Lucas  Luentas  which  is  always  reserved  for  royalty.  It 
was  a  pale  wine,  delicious  in  the  drinking,  and  leaving  no 
more  flavor  in  the  mouth  than  a  faint  dryness  that  seemed 
to  say,  another  glass.  Shall  I  tell  you  how  I  came  by  it?" 
And  scarcely  pausing  for  reply,  he  told  the  story  of  having 
robbed  his  own  convoy,  and  stolen  the  wine  he  was  in  charge 
of  for  safe  conveyance. 

I  wish  I  could  give  any,  even  the  weakest  idea  of  how  he 
narrated  that  incident,  —  the  struggle  that  he  portrayed  be- 
tween duty  and  temptation,  and  the  apologetic  tone  of  his 
voice  in  which  he  explained  that  the  frame  of  mind  that 
succeeds  to  any  yielding  to  seductive  influences,  is  often,  in 
the  main,  more  profitable  to  a  man  than  is  the  vain-glorious 
sense  of  having  resisted  a  temptation.  "  Meekness  is  the 
mother  of  all  the  virtues,"  said  he,  "  and  there  is  no  being 
meek  without  frailty."  The  story,  told  as  he  told  it,  was  too 
much  for  the  diplomatist's  gravity,  he  resisted  all  signs  of 
attention  as  long  as  he  was  able,  and  at  last  fairly  roared 
out  with  laughter. 

As  soon  as  I  myself  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his 
drollery,  I  said,  "  Major,  I  have  a  proposition  to  make 
you.  Let  me  tell  the  story  in  print,  and  I'll  give  you  five 
naps." 

"  Are  3'ou  serious,  Harry  ?  "  asked  he.    "  Is  this  on  honor  ?" 

*'  On  honor,  assuredly,"  I  replied. 


PREFACE.  Xiu 

*'  Let  me  have  the  money  down,  on  the  nail,  and  I'll  give 
you  leave  to  have  me  and  my  whole  life,  every  adventure 
that  ever  befell  me,  ay,  and  if  you  like,  every  moral  reflec- 
tion that  my  experiences  have  suggested." 

"  Done  !  "  cried  I,  "  I  agree." 

"  Not  so  fast,"  cried  the  diplomatist,  "  we  must  make  a 
protocol  of  this ;  the  high  contracting  parties  must  know 
what  they  give  and  what  they  receive.  1  '11  draw  out  the 
treaty." 

He  did  so  at  full  length  on  a  sheet  of  that  solemn  blue- 
tinted  paper,  so  dedicated  to  despatch  purposes  ;  he  duly  set 
fourth  the  concession  and  the  consideration.  We  each  signed 
the  document ;  he  witnessed  and  sealed  it ;  and  Monsoon 
pocketed  my  five  napoleons,  filling  a  bumper  to  any  success 
the  bargain  might  bring  me,  and  of  which  I  have  never  had 
reason  to  express  deep  disappointment. 

This  document,  along  with  my  university  degree,  my  com- 
mission in  a  militia  regiment,  and  a  vast  amount  of  letters 
very  interesting  to  me,  was  seized  by  the  Austrian  authori- 
ties on  the  way  from  Como  to  Florence,  in  the  August  of 
1847,  being  deemed  part  of  a  treasonable  correspondence,  — 
probably  purposely  allegorical  in  form,  —  and  never  restored 
to  me,  I  fairly  own  that  I  'd  give  all  the  rest  willingly  to 
repossess  myself  of  the  Monsoon  treaty,  not  a  little  for  the 
sake  of  that  quaint  old  autograph,  faintly  shaken  by  the 
quiet  laugh   with  which  he  wrote  it. 

That  I  did  not  entirely  fail  in  giving  my  major  some 
faint  resemblance  to  the  great  original  from  whom  I  copied 
him,  I  may  mention  that  he  was  speedily  recognized  in  print 
by  the  Marquis  of  Londonderry,  the  well-known  Sir  Charles 
Stuart  of  the  Peninsular  campaign.  "  I  know  that  fellow 
well,"  said  he,  "  he  once  sent  me  a  challenge,  and  I  had  to 
make  him  a  very  humble  apology.  The  occasion  was  this  :  I 
had  been  out  with  a  single  aide-de-camp  to  make  a  reeonnois- 
sance  in  front  of  Victor's  division  ;  and  to  avoid  attracting 
any  notice,  we  covered  over  our  uniform  with  two  common 
gray  overcoats  which  reached  to  the  feet,  and  effectually 
concealed  our  rank  as  officers.  Scarcely,  however,  had  we 
topped  a  hill   which  commanded  the  view  of  the  French, 


XIV  PREFACE. 

than  a  shower  of  shells  flew  over  and  around  us.  Amazed 
to  think  how  we  could  have  been  so  quickly  noticed,  I  looked 
around  me,  and  discovered,  quite  close  in  my  rear,  your 
friend  Monsoon  with  what  he  called  his  staff,  —  a  popinjay 
set  of  rascals  dressed  out  in  green  and  gold,  and  with  more 
plumes  and  feathers  than  the  general  staff  ever  boasted. 
Carried  away  by  momentary  passion  at  the  failure  of  my 
reconnoissance,  I  burst  out  with  some  insolent  allusion  to 
the  harlequin  assembly  which  had  drawn  the  French  fire 
upon  us.  Monsoon  saluted  me  respectfully,  and  retired 
without  a  word ;  but  I  had  scarcely  reached  my  quarters 
when  a  '  friend*  of  his  waited  on  me  with  a  message,  a  very 
categorical  message  it  was,  too,  '  it  must  be  a  meeting  or  an 
ample  apology.'  I  made  the  apology,  a  most  full  one,  for 
the  major  was  right,  and  I  had  not  a  fraction  of  reason  to 
sustain  me  in  my  conduct,  and  we  have  been  the  best  of 
friends  ever  since." 

I  myself  had  heard  the  incident  before  this  from  Mon- 
soon, but  told  among  other  adventures  whose  exact  veracity 
I  was  rather  disposed  to  question,  and  did  not  therefore 
accord  it  all  the  faith  that  was  its  due  ',  and  I  admit  that  the 
accidental  corroboration  of  this  oue  event  very  often  served 
to  puzzle  me  afterwards,  when  1  listened  to  stories  in  which 
the  major  seemed  a  second  Munchausen,  but  might,  like  in 
this  of  the  duel,  have  been  among  the  truest  and  most 
matter-of-fact  of  historians.  May  the  reader  be  not  less 
embarrassed  than  myself,  is  my  sincere,  if  not  very  courte- 
ous, prayer. 

I  have  no  doubt  myself,  that  often  in  recounting  some 
strange  incident,  —  a  personal  experience  it  always  was,  — 
he  was  himself  more  amused  by  the  credulity  of  the  hearers, 
and  the  amount  of  interest  he  could  excite  in  them,  than 
were  they  by  the  story.  He  possessed  the  true  narrative 
gusto,  and  there  was  a  marvellous  instinct  in  the  way  in  which 
he  would  vary  a  tale  to  suit  the  tastes  of  an  audience  ;  while 
his  moralizings  were  almost  certain  to  take  the  tone  of  a 
humoristic  quiz  on  the  company. 

Though  fully  aware  that  I  was  availing  myself  of  the 
contract  that  delivered  him  into  my  hands,  and  dining  with 


PREFACE.  XV 

me  two  or  three  days  a  week,  he  never  lapsed  into  any 
allusion  to  his  appearance  in  print ;  and  the  story  had  been 
already  some  weeks  published  before  he  asked  me  to  lend 
him  "  that  last  thing  —  he  forgot  the  name  of  it  —  I  was 
writing." 

Of  Frank  Webber  I  have  said,  in  a  former  notice,  that  he 
was  one  of  my  earliest  friends,  my  chum  in  college,  and  in 
the  very  chambers  where  I  have  located  Charles  O'Malley, 
in  Old  Trinity.  He  was  a  man  of  the  highest  order  of  abili- 
ties, and  with  a  memory  that  never  forgot,  but  ruined  and 
run  to  seed  by  the  idleness  that  came  of  a  discursive,  uncer- 
tain temperament.  Capable  of  anything,  he  spent  his  youth 
in  follies  and  eccentricities  ;  every  one  of  which,  however, 
gave  indications  of  a  mind  inexhaustible  in  resources,  and 
abounding  in  devices  and  contrivances  that  none  other  but 
himself  would  have  thought  of.  Poor  fellow,  he  died  young ; 
and  perhaps  it  is  better  it  should  have  been  so.  Had  he 
lived  to  a  later  day,  he  would  most  probably  have  been  found 
a  foremost  leader  of  Feuianism  ;  and  from  what  I  knew  of 
him,  I  can  say  he  would  have  been  a  more  dangerous  enemy 
to  English  rule  than  any  of  those  dealers  in  the  petty  larceny 
of  rebellion  we  have  lately  seen  among  us. 

I  have  said  that  of  Mickey  Free  I  had  not  one  but  one 
thousand  types.  Indeed,  I  am  not  quite  sure  that  in  my 
last  visit  to  Dublin,  I  did  not  chance  on  a  living  specimen 
of  the  "  Free"  family,  much  readier  in  repartee,  quicker  with 
an  apropos,  and  droller  in  illustration  than  my  own  Mickey. 
This  fellow  was  "  boots"  at  a  great  hotel  in  Sackville  Street ; 
and  I  owe  him  more  amusement  and  some  heartier  laughs 
than  it  has  been  always  my  fortune  to  enjoy  in  a  party  of 
wits.  His  criticisms  on  my  sketches  of  Irish  character  were 
about  the  shrewdest  and  the  best  I  ever  listened  to ;  and 
that  I  am  not  bribed  to  this  by  any  flattery,  I  may  remark 
that  they  were  more  often  severe  than  complimentary, 
and  that  he  hit  every  blunder  of  image,  every  mistake  in 
figure,  of  my  peasant  characters,  with  an  acuteness  and 
correctness  which  made  me  very  grateful  to  know  that  his 
daily  occupations  were  limited  to  blacking  boots,  and  not 
polishing  off  authors. 


xvi  PREFACE. 

I  believe  I  have  now  done  with  my  confessions,  except  I 
should  like  to  own  that  this  story  was  the  means  of  accord- 
ing me  a  more  heartfelt  glow  of  satisfaction,  a  more  gratify- 
ing sense  of  pride,  than  anything  I  ever  have  or  ever  shall 
write,  and  in  this  wise.  My  brother,  at  that  time  the  rector 
of  an  Irish  parish,  once  forwarded  to  me  a  letter  from  a  lady 
unknown  to  him,  but  who  had  heard  he  was  the  brother  of 
*'  Harry  Lorrequer,"  and  who  addressed  him  not  knowing 
where  a  letter  might  be  directed  to  myself.  The  letter  was 
the  grateful  expression,  of  a  mother,  who  said,  "  I  am  the 
widow  of  a  field  officer,  and  with  an  only  son,  for  whom  I 
obtained  a  presentation  to  Woolwich  ;  but  seeing  in  my  boy's 
nature  certain  traits  of  nervousness  and  timidity  which  in- 
duced me  to  hesitate  on  embarking  him  in  the  career  of  a 
soldier,  I  became  very  unhappy  and  uncertain  which  course 
to  decide  on. 

"  While  in  this  state  of  uncertainty,  I  chanced  to  make 
him  a  birthday  present  of  '  Charles  O'Malley,'  the  reading 
of  which  seemed  to  act  like  a  charm  on  his  whole  character, 
inspiring  him  with  a  passion  for  movement  and  adventure, 
and  spiriting  him  to  an  eager  desire  for  a  military  life.  See- 
ing that  this  was  no  passing  enthusiasm,  but  a  decided  and 
determined  bent,  I  accepted  the  cadetship  for  him  ;  and  his 
career  has  been  not  alone  distinguished  as  a  student,  but 
one  which  has  marked  him  out  for  an  almost  hare-brained 
courage,  and  for  a  dash  and  heroism  that  give  high  promise 
for  his  future. 

"  Thank  your  brother  for  me,"  wrote  she,  "  a  mother's 
thanks  for  the  welfare  of  an  only  son  ;  and  say  how  I  wish 
that  my  best  wishes  for  him  and  his  could  recompense  him 
for  what  I  owe  him." 

I  humbly  hope  that  it  may  not  be  imputed  to  me  as  un- 
pardonable vanity, — the  recording  of  this  incident.  It  gave 
me  an  intense  pleasure  when  I  heard  it ;  and  now,  as  I  look 
back  on  it,  it  invests  this  story  for  myself  with  an  interest 
which  nothing  else  that  I  have  written  can  afford  me. 

I  have  now  but  to  repeat  what  I  have  declared  in  former 
editions,  my  sincere  gratitude  for  the  favor  the  public  still 
continues  to  bestow  on  me,  —  a  favor  which  probably  asso- 


PREFACE.  xvu 

ciates  the  memory  of  this  book  with  whatever  I  have  since 
done  successfully,  and  compels  me  to  remember  that  to  the 
popularity  of  "  Charles  O'Malley  "  I  am  indebted  for  a  great 
share  of  that  kindliness  in  criticism,  and  that  geniality  in 
judgment,  which  —  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  — 
my  countrymen  have  graciously  bestowed  on  their  faithful 
friend  and  servant, 

CHARLES  LEVER. 

Trieste,   1872. 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  Page 

I.  Daly's  Club-house 1 

11.  The  Escape 7 

III.  Mr.  Blake 13 

IV.  The  Hunt        22 

V.  The  Drawing-room 30 

VI.  The  Dinner 34 

VII.  The  Flight  from  Gurt-na-Morra 46 

VIII.  The  Duel 55 

IX.  The  Return 63 

X.  The  Election 68 

XI.  An  Adventure 78 

XII.  Mickey  Free 84 

XIII.  The  Journey 96 

XIV.  Dublin    .    . 107 

XV.  Captain  Power 116 

XVI.  The  Vice-provost 129 

XVII.  Trinity  College. — A  Lecture 135 

XVIII.  The  Invitation.— The  Wager 143 

XIX.  The  Ball 147 

XX.  The  Last  Night  in  Trinity 162 

XXL  The  Phienix  Park 172 

XXIL  The  Road 181 

XXIIL  Cork 188 

XXIV.  The  Adjutant's  Dinner 195 

XXV.  The  Entanglement 199 

XXVI.  The  Preparation 205 

XXVIL  The  Supper 211 

XXVIII.  The  Voyage 221 

XXIX.  The  Adjutant's  Story. — Life  in  Derry   .     .     .  229 

XXX.  Fred  Power's  Adventure  in  Philipstown     .    .  240 


XX 

Chapter 

XXXI. 

XXXII. 

XXXIII. 

XXXIV. 

XXXV. 

XXXVI. 

XXXVII. 

XXXVIII. 

XXXIX. 

XL. 

XLI. 

XLII. 

XLIIL 

XLIV. 

XLV. 

XLVL 

XLVII. 

XLVIII. 

XLIX. 

L. 

LI. 

LII. 

LIII. 

LIV. 

LV. 

LVI. 

Lvn. 

LVIII. 

LXIX. 

LX. 

LXI. 

LXII. 

LXIII. 

LXIV. 

LXV. 

LXVL 

liXVIL 


CONTENTS. 

Page 

The  Voyage  Continued 252 

Mr.  Sparks's  Story 257 

The  Skipper 267 

The  Land 284 

Major  Monsoon 289 

The  Landing 300 

Lisbon        312 

The  Rua  Nuova 318 

The  Villa 325 

The  Dinner 329 

The  Route 333 

The  Farewell 336 

The  March 342 

The  Bivouac 351 

The  Douro 361 

The  Morning 372 

The  Review 377 

The  Quarrel 383 

The  Route  Continued 389 

The  Watch-fire 393 

The  March 402 

The  Page 406 

Alvas 413 

The  Supper 419 

The  Legion 426 

The  Departure 429 

Cuesta 440 

The  Letter 443 

Major  O'Shaughnessy 447 

Preliminaries 451 

All  Right 454 

The  Duel 457 

News  from  Galway 463 

An  Adventure  with  Sir  Arthur 470 

Talavera 474 

Night  after  Talavera 481 

The  Outpost 485 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 
Volume  One. 


lEtrl^inQS. 

PAOB 

The  Sunk  Fence ,   .     .     .       Frontispiece 

The  Last  Xight  in  Trinity 171 

Charles  pops  the  Question 219 

The  Picnic 266 

Mr.  Free  making  free 424 

miustrations  in  X\^t  STeit. 

Mr.  Blake's  Dressing-Room 35 

The  Election 71 

Mr.  Crow  well  plucked 105 

Frank  Webber  at  his  Studies Ill 

Miss  Judy  Macan 153 

The  Adjutant's  After-dinner  Ride 238 

The  Rival  Flunkies 249 

Major  Monsson  and  Donna  ^Iaria 309 

The  Salutation 359 

A  Touch  at  Leap-Frog  with  Xapoleon 404 

]\Iajor  Monsson  trying  to  charge 415 

Mr.  Free's  Song 437 

The  Coat  of  Mail 461 


CHARLES    O'MALLEY, 

THE    IRISH    DRAGOON. 


CHAPTER  I. 

daly's  club-house. 

The  rain  was  dashing  in  torrents  against  the  window- 
panes,  and  the  wind  sweeping  in  heavy  and  fitful  gusts 
along  the  dreary  and  deserted  streets,  as  a  party  of  three 
persons  sat  over  their  wine,  in  that  stately  old  pile  which 
once  formed  the  resort  of  the  Irish  Members,  in  College 
Green,  Dublin,  and  went  by  the  name  of  Daly's  Club- 
House.  The  clatter  of  falling  tiles  and  chimney-pots,  the 
jarring  of  the  window-frames,  and  howling  of  the  storm 
without  seemed  little  to  affect  the  spirits  of  those  within 
as  they  drew  closer  to  a  blazing  fire  before  which  stood  a 
small  table  covered  with  the  remains  of  a  dessert,  and  an 
abundant  supply  of  bottles,  whose  characteristic  length  of 
neck  indicated  the  rarest  wines  of  France  and  Germany; 
while  the  portly  magnum  of  claret  —  the  wine  par  excel- 
lence of  every  Irish  gentleman  of  the  day  —  passed  rapidly 
from  hand  to  hand,  the  conversation  did  not  languish,  and 
many  a  deep  and  hearty  laugh  followed  the  stories  which 
every  now  and  then  were  told,  as  some  reminiscence  of 
early  days  was  recalled,  or  some  trait  of  a  former  com- 
panion remembered. 

One  of  the  party,  however,  was  apparently  engrossed  by 
other  thoughts  than  those  of  the  mirth  and  merriment 
around  ;  for  in  the  midst  of  all  he  would  turn  suddenly 
from  the  others,  and  devote  himself  to  a  number  of  scat- 
tered sheets  of  paper,  upon  which  he  had  written  some 

VOL.   I. —  1 


2  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

lines,  but  whose  crossed  and  blotted  sentences  attested  how 
little  success  had  waited  upon  his  literary  labors.  This 
individual  was  a  short,  plethoric-looking,  white-haired  man 
of  about  fifty,  with  a  deep,  round  voice,  and  a  chuckling, 
smothering  laugh,  which,  whenever  he  indulged,  not  only 
shook  his  own  ample  person,  but  generally  created  a  petty 
earthquake  on  every  side  of  him.  For  the  present,  I  shall 
not  stop  to  particularize  him  more  closely ;  but  when  I  add 
that  the  person  in  question  was  a  well-known  member  of 
the  Irish  House  of  Commons,  whose  acute  understanding 
and  practical  good  sense  were  veiled  under  an  affected  and 
well-dissembled  habit  of  blundering  that  did  far  more  for 
his  party  than  the  most  violent  and  pointed  attacks  of  his 
more  accurate  associates,  some  of  my  readers  may  antici- 
pate me  in  pronouncing  him  to  be  Sir  Harry  Boyle.  Upon 
his  left  sat  a  figure  the  most  unlike  him  possible.  He  was 
a  tall,  thin,  bony  man,  with  a  bolt-upright  air  and  a  most 
saturnine  expression ;  his  eyes  were  covered  by  a  deep  green 
shade,  which  fell  far  over  his  face,  but  failed  to  conceal 
a  blue  scar  that  crossing  his  cheek  ended  in  the  angle  of 
his  mouth,  and  imparted  to  that  feature,  when  he  spoke, 
an  apparently  abortive  attempt  to  extend  towards  his  eye- 
brow ;  his  upper  lip  was  covered  with  a  grizzly  and  ill- 
trimmed  mustache,  which  added  much  to  the  ferocity  of 
his  look,  while  a  thin  and  pointed  beard  on  his  chin  gave 
an  apparent  length  to  the  whole  face  that  completed  its 
rueful  character.  His  dress  was  a  single-breasted,  tightly 
buttoned  frock,  in  one  button-hole  of  Avhich  a  yellow  rib- 
bon was  fastened,  the  decoration  of  a  foreign  service,  which 
conferred  upon  its  wearer  the  title  of  count;  and  though 
Billy  Considine,  as  he  was  familiarly  called  by  his  friends, 
was  a  thorough  Irishman  in  all  his  feelings  and  affections, 
yet  he  had  no  objection  to  the  designation  he  had  gained 
in  the  Austrian  army.  The  Count  was  certainly  no  beauty, 
but  somehow,  very  few  men  of  his  day  had  a  fancy  for  tell- 
ing him.  so.  A  deadlier  hand  and  a  steadier  eye  never  cov- 
ered his  man  in  the  Phoenix ;  and  though  he  never  had 
a  seat  in  the  House,  he  was  always  regarded  as  one  of 
the  government  party,  who  more  than  once  had  damped 
the  ardor  of  an  opposition  member  by  the  very  significant 


DALY'S  CLUB-HOUSE,  3 

threat  of  "  setting  Billy  at  him."  The  third  figure  of  the 
group  was  a  large,  powerfully  built,  and  handsome  man, 
older  than  either  of  the  others,  but  not  betraying  in  his 
voice  or  carriage  any  touch  of  time.  He  was  attired  in  the 
green  coat  and  buff  vest  which  formed  the  livery  of  the 
club ;  and  in  his  tall,  ample  forehead,  clear,  well-set  eye, 
and  still  handsome  mouth,  bore  evidence  that  no  great  flat- 
tery was  necessary  at  the  time  which  called  Godfrey  O'Mal- 
ley  the  handsomest  man  in  Ireland. 

"  Upon  my  conscience,"  said  Sir  Harry,  throwing  down 
his  pen  with  an  air  of  ill-temper,  *'  I  can  make  nothing  of 
it !  I  have  got  into  such  an  infernal  habit  of  making  bulls, 
that  I  can't  write  sense  when  I  want  it ! " 

"  Come,  come,"  said  O'Malley,  "  try  again,  my  dear  fellow. 
If  you  can't  succeed,  I  'm  sure  Billy  and  I  have  no  chance." 

"  AVhat  have  you  written  ?  Let  us  see,"  said  Considine, 
drawing  the  paper  towards  him,  and  holding  it  to  the  light. 
"  Why,  what  the  devil  is  all  this  ?  You  have  made  him 
*  drop  down  dead  after  dinner  of  a  lingering  illness  brought 
on  by  the  debate  of  yesterday.'  " 

"  Oh,  impossible  !  " 

"  Well,  read  it  yourself ;  there  it  is.  And,  as  if  to  make 
the  thing  less  credible,  you  talk  of  his  'Bill  for  the  Better 
Recovery  of  Small  Debts.'  I'm  sure,  O'Malley,  your  last 
moments  were  not  employed  in  that  manner." 

"  Come,  now,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  I  '11  set  all  to  rights  with 
a  postscript.  *Any  one  who  questions  the  above  statement 
is  politely  requested  to  call  on  Mr.  Considine,  16  Kildare 
Street,  who  will  feel  happy  to  afford  him  every  satisfac- 
tion upon  Mr.  O'Malley's  decease,  or  upon  miscellaneous 
matters.' " 

"  Worse  and  worse,"  said  O'Malley.  "Killing  another  man 
will  never  persuade  the  world  that  I  'm  dead." 

"  But  we  '11  wake  you,  and  have  a  glorious  funeral." 

"  And  if  any  man  doubt  the  statement,  I  '11  call  him  out," 
said  the  Count. 

"  Or,  better  still,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  O'Malley  has  his  action 
at  law  for  defamation." 

"  I  see  I  '11  never  get  down  to  Galway  at  this  rate,"  said 
O'Malley ;  "  and  as  the  new  election  takes  place  on  Tuesday 


4  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

week,  time  presses.  There  are  more  writs  flying  after  me 
this  instant  than  for  all  the  government  boroughs." 

"And  there  will  be  fewer  returns,  I  fear,"  said  Sir  Harry. 

"Who  is  the  chief  creditor  ?  "  asked  the  Count. 

"  Old  Stapleton,  the  attorney  in  Fleet  Street,  has  most  of 
the  mortgages." 

"  Nothing  to  be  done  with  him  in  this  way  ?  "  said  Con- 
sidine,  balancing  the  corkscrew  like  a  hair  trigger. 

"  No  chance  of  it." 

"  May  be,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  he  might  come  to  terms  if  I 
were  to  call  and  say,  'You  are  anxious  to  close  accounts, 
as  your  death  has  just  taken  place.'  You  know  what  I 
mean." 

"  I  fear  so  should  he,  were  you  to  say  so.  No,  no,  Boyle, 
just  try  a  plain,  straightforward  paragraph  about  my  death ; 
we  '11  have  it  in  Falkner's  paper  to-morrow.  On  Friday  the 
funeral  can  take  place,  and,  with  the  blessing  o'  God,  I  '11 
come  to  life  on  Saturday  at  Athlone,  in  time  to  canvass  the 
market." 

"  I  think  it  would  n't  be  bad  if  your  ghost  were  to  appear 
to  old  Timins  the  tanner,  in  Naas,  on  your  way  down.  You 
know  he  arrested  you  once  before." 

"  I  prefer  a  night's  sleep,"  said  O'Malley.  "  But  come, 
finish  the  squib  for  the  paper." 

"  Stay  a  little,"  said  Sir  Harry,  musing ;  "  it  just  strikes 
me  that  if  ever  the  matter  gets  out  I  may  be  in  some  con- 
founded scrape.  Who  knows  if  it  is  not  a  breach  of  privi- 
lege to  report  the  death  of  a  member  ?  And  to  tell  you 
truth,  I  dread  the  Sergeant  and  the  Speaker's  warrant  with 
a  very  lively  fear." 

"  Why,  when  did  you  make  his  acquaintance  ?  "  said  the 
Count. 

"  Is  it  possible  you  never  heard  of  Boyle's  committal  ?  " 
said  O'Malley.  "  You  svirely  must  have  been  abroad  at  the 
time.     But  it 's  not  too  late  to  tell  it  yet. 

"  Well,  it 's  about  tAVO  years  since  old  Townsend  brought 
in  his  Enlistment  Bill,  and  the  whole  country  was  scoured 
for  all  our  voters,  who  were  scattered  here  and  there,  never 
anticipating  another  call  of  the  House,  and  supposing  that 
the  session  was  just  over.    Among  others,  up  came  our  friend 


DALY'S  CLUB-HOUSE.  5 

Harry,  here,  and  the  night  he  arrived  they  made  him  a  'Monk 
of  the  Screw,'  and  very  soon  made  him  forget  his  senatorial 
dignities.  On  the  evening  after  his  reaching  town,  the  bill 
■was  brought  in,  and  at  two  in  the  morning  the  division  took 
place,  —  a  vote  was  of  too  much  consequence  not  to  look 
after  it  closely,  —  and  a  Castle  messenger  was  in  waiting 
in  Exchequer  Street,  who,  when  the  debate  was  closing,  put 
Harry,  with  three  others,  into  a  coach,  and  brought  them 
down  to  the  House.  Unfortunately,  however,  they  mistook 
their  friends,  voted  against  the  bill,  and  amidst  the  loud- 
est cheering  of  the  opposition,  the  government  party  were 
defeated.  The  rage  of  the  ministers  knew  no  bounds,  and 
looks  of  defiance  and  even  threats  were  exchanged  between 
the  ministers  and  the  deserters.  Amidst  all  this  poor  Harry 
fell  fast  asleep  and'  dreamed  that  he  was  once  more  in 
Exchequer  Street,  presiding  among  the  monks,  and  mixing 
another  tumbler.  At  length  he  awoke  and  looked  about 
him.  The  clerk  was  just  at  the  instant  reading  out,  in  his 
usual  routine  manner,  a  clause  of  the  new  bill,  and  the 
remainder  of  the  House  was  in  dead  silence.  Harry  looked 
again  around  on  every  side,  wondering  where  was  the  hot 
water,  and  what  had  become  of  the  whiskey  bottle,  and 
above  all,  why  the  company  were  so  extremely  dull  and  un- 
genial.  At  length,  with  a  half-shake,  he  roused  up  a  little, 
and  giving  a  look  of  unequivocal  contempt  on  every  side, 
called  out,  *  Upon  my  soul,  you  're  pleasant  companions ; 
but  I  '11  give  you  a  chant  to  enliven  you  ! '  So  saying,  he 
cleared  his  throat  with  a  couple  of  short  coughs,  and  struck 
up,  with  the  voice  of  a  Stentor,  the  following  verse  of  a  pop- 
ular ballad :  — 

*  And  they  nibbled  away,  both  night  and  day, 

Like  mice  in  a  round  of  Glo'ster ; 
Great  rogues  they  were  all,  both  great  and  small, 
From  Flood  to  Leslie  Foster. 
Great  rogues  all. 

Chorus,  boys  ! '  If  he  was  not  joined  by  the  voices  of  his 
friends  in  the  song,  it  was  probably  because  such  a  roar  of 
laughing  never  was  heard  since  the  walls  were  roofed  over. 
The  whole  House  rose  in  a  mass,  and  my  friend  Harry  was 


6  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

hurried  over  the  benches  by  the  sergeant-at-arms,  and  left 
for  three  weeks  in  Newgate  to  practise  his  melody." 

"All  true,"  said  Sir  Harry;  "and  worse  luck  to  them  for 
not  liking  music.  But  come,  now,  will  this  do  ?  '  It  is  our 
melancholy  duty  to  announce  the  death  of  Godfrey  O'Mal- 
ley,  Esq.,  late  member  for  the  county  of  Galway,  which  took 
place  on  Friday  evening,  at  Daly's  Club-House.  This  es- 
teemed gentleman's  family  —  one  of  the  oldest  in  Ireland, 
and  among  whom  it  was  hereditary  not  to  have  any  chil- 
dren — ' " 

Here  a  bvirst  of  laughter  from  Considine  and  O'Malley 
interrupted  the  reader,  who  with  the  greatest  difficulty  could 
be  persuaded  that  he  was  again  bulling  it. 

"  The  devil  fly  away  with  it,"  said  he ;  "I  '11  never  suc- 
ceed." 

"  Never  mind,"  said  O'Malley,  "  the  first  part  will  do  ad- 
mirably;  and  let  us  now  turn  our  attention  to  other  matters," 

A  fresh  magnum  was  called  for,  and  over  its  inspiring  con- 
tents all  the  details  of  the  funeral  were  planned ;  and  as  the 
clock  struck  four  the  party  separated  for  the  nighty  well  sat- 
isfied with  the  result  of  their  labors. 


CHAPTEK  n. 

THE    ESCAPE. 

When  the  dissolution  of  Parliament  was  announced  the 
following  morning  in  Dublin,  its  interest  in  certain  circles 
was  manifestly  increased  by  the  fact  that  Godfrey  O'Malley 
Avas  at  last  open  to  arrest ;  for  as  in  olden  times  certain 
gifted  individuals  possessed  some  happy  immunity  against 
death  by  fire  or  sword,  so  the  worthy  O'Malley  seemed  to 
enjoy  a  no  less  valuable  privilege,  and  for  many  a  year 
had  passed  among  the  myrmidons  of  the  law  as  writ-proof. 
Now,  however,  the  charm  seemed  to  have  yielded ;  and  pretty 
much  with  the  same  feeling  as  a  storming  party  may  be  sup- 
posed to  experience  on  the  day  that  a  breach  is  reported  as 
practicable,  did  the  honest  attorneys  retained  in  the  various 
suits  against  him  rally  round  each  other  that  morning  in  the 
Four  Courts. 

Bonds,  mortgages,  post-obits,  promissory  notes  —  in  fact, 
every  imaginable  species  of  invention  for  raising  the  O'Mal- 
ley exchequer  for  the  preceding  thirty  years  —  were  handed 
about  on  all  sides,  suggesting  to  the  mind  of  an  uninterested 
observer  the  notion  that  had  the  aforesaid  O'Malley  been  an 
independent  and  absolute  monarch,  instead  of  merely  being 
the  member  for  Galway,  the  kingdom  over  whose  destinies 
he  had  been  called  to  preside  would  have  suffered  not  a  lit- 
tle from  a  depreciated  currency  and  an  extravagant  issue  of 
paper.  Be  that  as  it  might,  one  thing  was  clear,  —  the  whole 
estates  of  the  family  could  not  possibly  pay  one  fourth  of 
the  debt ;  and  the  only  question  was  one  which  occasionally 
arises  at  a  scanty  dinner  on  a  mail-coach  road,  —  who  was 
to  be  the  lucky  individual  to  carve  the  joint,  where  so  many 
were  sure  to  go  off  hungry  ? 

It  was  now  a  trial  of  address  between  these  various  and 
highly  gifted  gentlemen  who  should  first  pounce  upon  the 
victim  ;  and  when  the  skill  of  their  caste  is  taken  into  con- 
sideration, who  will  doubt  that  every  feasible  expedient  for 


8  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

securing  him  was  resorted  to  ?  While  writs  were  struck 
against  him  in  Dublin,  emissaries  were  despatched  to  the 
various  surrounding  (bounties  to  procure  others  in  the  event 
of  his  escape.  Ne  exeats  were  sworn,  and  water-bailiffs  en- 
gaged to  follow  him  on  the  high  seas  ;  and  as  the  great 
Nassau  balloon  did  not  exist  in  those  days,  no  imaginable 
mode  of  escape  appeared  possible,  and  bets  were  offered  at 
long  odds  that  within  tAventy-four  hours  the  late  member 
would  be  enjoying  his  otium  mem  dignitate  in  his  Majesty's 
jail  of  Newgate. 

Expectation  was  at  the  highest,  confidence  hourly  increas- 
ing, success  all  but  certain,  when  in  the  midst  of  all  this 
high-bounding  hope  the  dreadful  rumor  spread  that  O'Mal- 
ley  was  no  more.  One  had  seen  it  just  five  minutes  before 
in  the  evening  edition  of  Falkner's  paper ;  another  heard  it 
in  the  courts  ;  a  third  overheard  the  Chief-Justice  stating  it 
to  the  Master  of  the  Rolls  ;  and  lastly,  a  breathless  witness 
arrived  from  College  Green  with  the  news  that  Daly's  Club- 
House  was  shut  up,  and  the  shutters  closed.  To  describe 
the  consternation  the  intelligence  caused  on  every  side  is 
impossible ;  nothing  in  history  equals  it,  —  except,  perhaps, 
the  entrance  of  the  French  army  into  Moscow,  deserted  and 
forsaken  by  its  former  inhabitants.  While  terror  and  dis- 
may, therefore,  spread  amidst  that  wide  and  respectable  body 
who  formed  O'Malley's  creditors,  the  preparations  for  his 
funeral  were  going  on  with  every  rapidity.  Relays  of  horses 
were  ordered  at  every  stage  of  the  journey,  and  it  was  an- 
nounced that,  in  testimony  of  his  worth,  a  large  party  of  his 
friends  were  to  accompany  his  remains  to  Portumna  Abbey, 
—  a  test  much  more  indicative  of  resistance  in  the  event  of 
any  attempt  to  arrest  the  body,  than  of  anything  like  rever- 
ence for  their  departed  friend. 

Such  was  the  state  of  matters  in  Dublin  when  a  letter 
reached  me  one  morning  at  O'Malley  Castle,  whose  con- 
tents will  at  once  explain  the  writer's  intention,  and  also 
serve  to  introduce  my  unworthy  self  to  my  reader.  It  ran 
thus  :  — 

Daly's,  about  eight  in  the  evening. 

Dear  Charley,  — Your  uncle  Godfrey,  whose  debts  (Gwl  pardon 
him !)  are  more  ni;merous  than  the  hairs  of  his  wig,  was  obliged  to 


THE   ESCAPE.  9 

die  here  last  nigbt.  We  did  the  thing  for  him  completely ;  and  all 
doubts  as  to  the  reality  of  the  event  are  silenced  by  the  circumstantial 
detail  of  the  newspaper,  "  that  he  was  confined  six  weeks  to  his  bed 
from  a  cold  he  caught,  ten  days  ago,  while  on  guard."  Repeat  this ; 
for  it  is  better  we  had  all  the  same  story  till  he  comes  to  life  again, 
which,  may  be,  will  not  take  place  before  Tuesday  or  Wednesday.  At 
the  same  time,  canvass  the  county  for  him,  and  say  he  '11  be  with  his 
friends  next  week,  and  up  in  Woodford  and  the  Scariff  barony.  Say 
he  died  a  true  Catholic  ;  it  will  serve  him  on  the  hustings.  Meet  vts 
in  Athlone  on  Saturday,  and  bring  your  uncle's  mare  with  you.  He 
says  he  'd  rather  ride  home.  And  tell  Father  Mac  Shane  to  have  a 
bit  of  dinner  ready  about  four  o'clock,  for  the  corpse  can  get  nothing 
after  he  leaves  Mountmellick.     No  more  now,  from 

Yours  ever, 

Harry  Boyle, 
To  Charles  O'Malley,  Esq., 
O'jMalley  Castle,  Galway. 

When  this  not  over-clear  document  reached  me  I  was  the 
sole  inhabitant  of  O'Malley  Castle,  —  a  very  ruinous  pile  of 
incongruous  masonry,  that  stood  in  a  wild  and  dreary  part 
of  the  county  of  Galway,  bordering  on  the  Shannon.  On 
every  side  stretched  the  property  of  my  uncle,  or  at  least 
what  had  once  been  so ;  and  indeed,  so  numerous  were  its 
present  claimants  that  he  would  have  been  a  subtle  lawyer 
who  could  have  pronounced  upon  the  rightful  owner.  The 
demesne  around  the  castle  contained  some  well-grown  and 
handsome  timber,  and  as  the  soil  was  undulating  and  fer- 
tile, presented  many  features  of  beauty ;  beyond  it,  all  was 
sterile,  bleak,  and  barren.  Long  tracts  of  brown  heath-clad 
mountain  or  not  less  unprofitable  valleys  of  tall  and  waving 
fern  were  all  that  the  eye  could  discern,  except  where  the 
broad  Shannon,  exyjanding  into  a  tranquil  and  glassy  lake, 
lay  still  and  motionless  beneath  the  dark  mountains,  a  few 
islands,  with  some  ruined  churches  and  a  round  tower,  alone 
breaking  the  dreary  waste  of  water. 

Here  it  was  that  I  passed  my  infancy  and  my  youth ;  and 
here  I  now  stood,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  quite  unconscious 
that  the  world  contained  aught  fairer  and  brighter  than  that 
gloomy  valley  with  its  rugged  frame  of  mountains. 

When  a  mere  child,  I  was  left  an  orphan  to  the  care  of 


10  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

my  worthy  uncle.  My  father,  whose  extravagance  had  well 
sustained  the  family  reputation,  had  squandered  a  large  and 
handsome  property  in  contesting  elections  for  his  native 
county,  and  in  keeping  up  that  system  of  unlimited  hospi- 
tality for  which  Ireland  in  general,  and  Galway  more  espe- 
cially, was  renowned.  The  result  was,  as  might  be  expected, 
ruin  and  beggary.  He  died,  leaving  every  one  of  his  estates 
encumbered  with  heavy  debts,  and  the  only  legacy  he  left  to 
his  brother  was  a  boy  four  years  of  age,  entreating  him  with 
his  last  breath,  "  Be  anything  you  like  to  him,  Godfrey,  but 
a  father,  or  at  least  such  a  one  as  I  have  proved." 

Godfrey  O'Malley  some  short  time  previous  had  lost  his 
wife,  and  when  this  new  trust  was  committed  to  him  he  re- 
solved never  to  remarry,  but  to  rear  me  up  as  his  own  child 
and  the  inheritor  of  his  estates.  How  weighty  and  onerous 
an  obligation  this  latter  might  prove,  the  reader  can  form 
some  idea.  The  intention  was,  however,  a  kind  one ;  and  to 
do  my  uncle  justice,  he  loved  me  with  all  the  affection  of  a 
warm  and  open  heart. 

From  my  earliest  years  his  whole  anxiety  was  to  fit  me  for 
the  part  of  a  country  gentleman,  as  he  regarded  that  char- 
acter, —  namely,  I  rode  boldly  with  fox-hounds ;  I  was  about 
the  best  shot  within  twenty  miles  of  us  ;  I  could  swim  the 
Shannon  at  Holy  Island  ;  I  drove  four-in-hand  better  than 
the  coachman  himself ;  and  from  finding  a  hare  to  hooking 
a  salmon,  my  equal  could  not  be  found  from  Killaloe  to 
Banagher.  These  were  the  staple  of  my  endowments.  Be- 
sides which,  the  parish  priest  had  taught  me  a  little  Latin, 
a  little  French,  a  little  geometry,  and  a  great  deal  of  the 
life  and  opinions  of  Saint  Jago,  who  presided  over  a  holy 
well  in  the  neighborhood,  and  was  held  in  very  considerable 
repute. 

When  I  add  to  this  portraiture  of  my  accomplishments 
that  I  was  nearly  six  feet  high,  with  more  than  a  common 
share  of  activity  and  strength  for  my  years,  and  no  incon- 
siderable portion  of  good  looks,  I  have  finished  my  sketch, 
and  stand  before  my  reader. 

It  is  now  time  I  should  return  to  Sir  Harry's  letter,  which 
so  completely  bewildered  me  that,  but  for  the  assistance  of 
Father  Roach,  I  should  have  been  totally  unable  to  make 


THE  ESCAPE.  H 

out  the  writer's  intentions.  By  his  advice,  I  immediately  set 
out  for  Athlone,  where,  when  I  arrived,  I  found  my  uncle  ad- 
dressing the  mob  from  the  top  of  the  hearse,  and  recounting 
his  miraculous  escapes  as  a  new  claim  upon  their  gratitude. 

"  There  was  nothing  else  for  it,  boys  ;  the  Dublin  people 
insisted  on  my  being  their  member,  and  besieged  the  club- 
house. I  refused ;  they  threatened.  I  grew  obstinate  ;  they 
furious.     '  I  '11  die  first,'  said  I.    *  Galway  or  nothing  ! '  " 

"  Hurrah  ! "  from  the  mob.    "  O'Malley  forever  ! " 

"  And  ye  see,  I  kept  my  word,  boys,  —  I  did  die  ;  I  died 
that  evening  at  a  quarter  past  eight.  There,  read  it  for  your- 
selves ;  there 's  the  paper.  Was  waked  and  carried  out,  and 
here  I  am  after  all,  ready  to  die  in  earnest  for  you,  but  never 
to  desert  you." 

The  cheers  here  were  deafening,  and  my  uncle  was  car- 
ried through  the  market  down  to  the  mayor's  house,  who, 
being  a  friend  of  the  opposite  party,  was  complimented  with 
three  groans  ;  then  up  the  Mall  to  the  chapel,  beside  which 
Father  Mac  Shane  resided.  He  was  then  suffered  to  touch 
the  earth  once  more ;  when,  having  shaken  hands  with  all 
of  his  constituency  within  reach,  he  entered  the  house,  to 
partake  of  the  kindest  welcome  and  best  reception  the  good 
priest  could  afford  him. 

My  uncle's  progress  homeward  was  a  triumph.  The  real 
secret  of  his  escape  had  somehow  come  out,  and  his  popu- 
larity rose  to  a  white  heat.  "An'  it's  little  O'Malley  cares 
for  the  law,  —  bad  luck  to  it ;  it 's  himself  can  laugh  at 
judge  and  jury.  Arrest  him  ?  Nabocklish !  Catch  a  weasel 
asleep  !  "  etc.  Such  were  the  encomiums  that  greeted  him  as 
he  passed  on  towards  home  ;  while  shouts  of  joy  and  blazing 
bonfires  attested  that  his  success  was  regarded  as  a  national 
triumph. 

The  west  has  certainly  its  strong  features  of  identity. 
Had  my  uncle  possessed  the  claims  of  the  immortal  How- 
ard ;  had  he  united  in  his  person  all  the  attributes  which 
confer  a  lasting  and  an  ennobling  fame  upon  humanity,  — 
he  might  have  passed  on  unnoticed  and  unobserved  ;  but 
for  the  man  that  had  duped  a  judge  and  escaped  the  sheriff, 
nothing  was  sufficiently  flattering  to  mark  their  approba- 
tion.   The  success  of  the  exploit  was  twofold ;  the  news 


12  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

spread  far  and  near,  and  the  very  story  canvassed  the  county 
better  than  Billy  Davern  himself,  the  Athlone  attorney. 

This  was  the  prospect  now  before  us  ;  and  however  little 
my  readers  may  sympathize  with  my  taste,  I  must  honestly 
avow  that  I  looked  forward  to  it  with  a  most  delighted  feel- 
ing. O'jNIalley  Castle  was  to  be  the  centre  of  operations, 
and  filled  with  my  uncle's  supporters  ;  while  I,  a  mere  strip- 
ling, and  usually  treated  as  a  boy,  was  to  be  intrusted  with 
an  important  mission,  and  sent  off  to  canvass  a  distant  rela- 
tion, with  whom  my  uncle  was  not  upon  terms,  and  who 
might  possibly  be  approachable  by  a  younger  branch  of  the 
family,  with  whom  he  had  never  any  collision. 


CHAPTER  IIL 

MB.   BLAKE. 

Nothing  but  the  exigency  of  the  case  could  ever  have 
persuaded  my  uncle  to  stoop  to  the  humiliation  of  canvass- 
ing the  individual  to  whom  I  was  now  about  to  proceed  as 
envoy-extraordinary,  with  full  powers  to  make  any  or  every 
amende,  provided  only  his  interest  and  that  of  his  follow- 
ers should  be  thereby  secured  to  the  O'Malley  cause.  The 
evening  before  I  set  out  was  devoted  to  giving  me  all  the 
necessary  instructions  how  I  was  to  proceed,  and  what  diffi- 
culties I  was  to  avoid. 

"  Say  your  uncle  's  in  high  feather  with  the  government 
party,"  said  Sir  Harry,  "  and  that  he  only  votes  against  them 
as  a  ruse  de  guerre,  as  the  French  call  it." 

"  Insist  upon  it  that  I  am  sure  of  the  election  without 
him ;  but  that  for  family  reasons  he  should  not  stand  aloof 
from  me  ;  that  people  are  talking  of  it  in  the  country." 

"And  drop  a  hint,"  said  Considine,  "that  O'Malley  is 
greatly  improved  in  his  shooting." 

"  And  don't  get  drunk  too  early  in  the  evening,  for  Phil 
Blake  has  beautiful  claret,"  said  another. 

"And  be  sure  you  don't  make  love  to  the  red-headed 
girls,"  added  a  third ;  "  lie  has  four  of  them,  each  more 
sinfully  ugly  than  the  other." 

"  You  '11  be  playing  whist,  too,"  said  Boyle  j  "  and  never 
mind  losing  a  few  pounds.  Mrs.  B.,  long  life  to  her,  has  a 
playful  way  of  turning  the  king." 

"  Charley  will  do  it  all  well,"  said  my  uncle ;  "  leave  him 
alone.     And  now  let  us  have  in  the  supper." 

It  was  only  on  the  following  morning,  as  the  tandem 
came  round  to  the  door,  that  I  began  to  feel  the  importance 
of  my  mission,  and  certain  misgivings  came  over  me  as  to 
my  ability  to  fulfil  it.  Mr.  Blake  and  his  family,  though 
estranged  from  my  uncle  for  several  years  past,  had  been 


14  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

always  most  kind  and  good-natured  to  me  ;  and  although  I 
could  not,  with  propriety,  have  cultivated  any  close  inti- 
macy with  them,  I  had  every  reason  to  suppose  that  they 
entertained  towards  me  nothing  but  sentiments  of  good- 
will. The  head  of  the  family  was  a  Galway  squire  of  the 
oldest  and  most  genuine  stock,  a  great  sportsman,  a  negli- 
gent farmer,  and  most  careless  father;  he  looked  upon  a 
fox  as  an  infinitely  more  precious  part  of  the  creation  than 
a  French  governess,  and  thought  that  riding  well  with 
hounds  was  a  far  better  gift  than  all  the  learning  of  a 
Porson.  His  daughters  were  after  his  own  heart,  —  the  best- 
tempered,  least-educated,  most  high-spirited,  gay,  dashing, 
ugly  girls  in  the  county,  ready  to  ride  over  a  four-foot 
paling  without  a  saddle,  and  to  dance  the  "Wind  that 
shakes  the  barley  "  for  four  consecutive  hours,  against  all 
the  officers  that  their  hard  fate,  and  the  Horse  Guards, 
ever  condemned  to  Galway. 

The  mamma  was  only  remarkable  for  her  liking  for 
whist,  and  her  invariable  good  fortune  thereat,  —  a  circum- 
stance the  world  were  agreed  in  ascribing  less  to  the  blind 
goddess  than  her  own  natural  endowments. 

Lastly,  the  heir  of  the  house  was  a  stripling  of  about  my 
own  age,  whose  accomplishments  were  limited  to  selling 
spavined  and  broken-winded  horses  to  the  infantry  officers, 
playing  a  safe  game  at  billiards,  and  acting  as  jackal-general 
to  his  sisters  at  balls,  providing  them  with  a  sufficiency 
of  partners,  and  making  a  strong  fight  for  a  place  at  the 
supper-table  for  his  mother.  These  fraternal  and  filial 
traits,  more  honored  at  home  than  abroad,  had  made  Mr. 
Matthew  Blake  a  rather  well-known  individual  in  the 
neighborhood  where  he  lived. 

Though  Mr.  Blake's  property  was  ample,  and  strange  to 
say  for  his  county,  unencumbered,  the  whole  air  and  ap- 
pearance of  his  house  and  grounds  betrayed  anything  rather 
than  a  sufficiency  of  means.  The  gate  lodge  was  a  miser- 
able mud-hovel  with  a  thatched  and  falling  roof ;  the  gate 
itself,  a  wooden  contrivance,  one  half  of  which  was  boarded 
and  the  other  railed ;  the  avenue  was  covered  with  weeds, 
and  deep  with  ruts ;  and  the  clumps  of  young  plantation, 
which  had  been  planted  and  fenced  with  care,  were  now 


ME.  BLAKE.  15 

open  to  the  cattle,  and  either  totally  uprooted  or  denuded  of 
their  bark  and  dying.  The  lawn,  a  handsome  one  of  some 
forty  acres,  had  been  devoted  to  an  exercise-ground  for 
training  horses,  and  was  cut  up  by  their  feet  beyond  all 
semblance  of  its  original  destination;  and  the  house  itself, 
a  large  and  venerable  structure  of  above  a  century  old,  dis- 
played every  variety  of  contrivance,  as  well  as  the  usual 
one  of  glass,  to  exclude  the  weather.  The  hall-door  hung 
by  a  single  hinge,  and  required  three  persons  each  morning 
and  evening  to  open  and  shut  it ;  the  remainder  of  the  day 
it  lay  pensively  open ;  the  steps  which  led  to  it  were  bi-oken 
and  falling;  and  the  whole  aspect  of  things  without  was 
ruinous  in  the  extreme.  Within,  matters  were  somewhat 
better,  for  though  the  furniture  was  old,  and  none  of  it 
clean,  yet  an  appearance  of  comfort  was  evident ;  and  the 
large  grate,  blazing  with  its  pile  of  red-hot  turf,  the  deep- 
cushioned  chairs,  the  old  black  mahogany  dinner-table,  and 
the  soft  carpet,  albeit  deep  with  dust,  were  not  to  be  de- 
spised on  a  winter's  evening,  after  a  hard  day's  run  with 
the  "Blazers."  Here  it  was,  however,  that  Mr.  Philip 
Blake  had  dispensed  his  hospitalities  for  above  fifty  years, 
and  his  father  before  him ;  and  here,  with  a  retinue  of  ser- 
vants as  gaudies  and  ill-ordered  as  all  about  them,  was  he 
accustomed  to  invite  all  that  the  county  possessed  of  rank 
and  wealth,  among  which  the  officers  quartered  in  his 
neighborhood  were  never  neglected,  the  Miss  Blakes  hav- 
ing as  decided  a  taste  for  the  army  as  any  young  ladies  of 
the  west  of  Ireland;  and  while  the  Galway  squire,  with 
his  cords  and  tops,  was  detailing  the  latest  news  from  Bal- 
linasloe  in  one  corner,  the  dandy  from  St.  James's  Street 
might  be  seen  displaying  more  arts  of  seductive  flattery  in 
another  than  his  most  accurate  insouciane  would  permit  him 
to  practise  in  the  elegant  salons  of  London  or  Paris,  and 
the  same  man  who  would  have  "cut  his  brother,"  for  a  sol- 
ecism of  dress  or  equipage,  in  Bond  Street,  was  now  to  be 
seen  quietly  domesticated,  eating  family  dinners,  rolling 
silk  for  the  young  ladies,  going  down  the  middle  in  a 
country  dance,  and  even  descending  to  the  indignity  of 
long  whist  at  "  tenpenny  "  points,  with  only  the  miserable 
consolation  that  the  company  were  not  honest. 


16  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

It  was  upon  a  clear  frosty  morning,  when  a  bright  blue 
sky  and  a  sharp  but  bracing  air  seem  to  exercise  upon  the 
feelings  a  sense  no  less  pleasurable  than  the  balmiest 
breeze  and  warmest  sun  of  summer,  that  I  whipped  my 
leader  short  round,  and  entered  the  precincts  of  "  Gurt-na 
Morra."  As  I  proceeded  along  the  avenue,  I  was  struck  by 
the  slight  traces  of  repairs  here  and  there  evident,  —  a  gate 
or  two  that  formerly  had  been  parallel  to  the  horizon  had 
been  raised  to  the  perpendicular ;  some  ineffectual  efforts 
at  paint  were  also  perceptible  upon  the  palings  ;  and,  in 
short,  everything  seemed  to  have  undergone  a  kind  of 
attempt  at  improvement. 

When  I  reached  the  door,  instead  of  being  surrounded,  as 
of  old,  by  a  tribe  of  menials  frieze-coated,  bare-headed,  and 
bare-legged,  my  presence  was  announced  by  a  tremendous 
ringing  of  bells  from  the  hands  of  an  old  functionary  in  a 
very  formidable  livery,  who  peeped  at  me  through  the  hall- 
window,  and  whom,  with  the  greatest  difficulty,  I  recog- 
nized as  my  quondam  acquaintance,  the  butler.  His  wig 
alone  would  have  graced  a  king's^  counsel ;  and  the  high 
collar  of  his  coat,  and  the  stiff  pillory  of  his  cravat  denoted 
an  eternal  adieu  to  so  humble  a  vocation  as  drawing  a  cork. 
Before  I  had  time  for  any  conjecture  as  to  the  altered  cir- 
cumstances about,  the  activity  of  my  friend  at  the  bell  had 
surrounded  me  with  "  four  others  worse  than  himself,"  at 
least  they  were  exactly  similarly  attired;  and  probably 
from  the  novelty  of  their  costume,  and  the  restraints  of  so 
unusual  a  thing  as  dress,  were  as  perfectly  unable  to  assist 
themselves  or  others  as  the  Court  of  Aldermen  would  be 
were  they  to  rig  out  in  plate  armor  of  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury. How  much  longer  I  might  have  gone  on  conjectur- 
ing the  reasons  for  the  masquerade  around,  I  cannot  say ; 
but  my  servant,  an  Irish  disciple  of  my  uncle's,  whispered 
in  my  ear,  "  It 's  a  red-breeches  day,  Master  Charles,  — 
they'll  have  the  hoith  of  company  in  the  house."  From 
the  phrase,  it  needed  little  explanation  to  inform  me  that 
it  was  one  of  those  occasions  on  which  Mr.  Blake  attired 
all  the  hangers-on  of  his  house  in  livery,  and  that  great 
preparations  were  in  progress  for  a  more  than  usually 
splendid  reception. 


MR.   BLAIvE.  IT 

In  the  next  moment  I  was  ushered  into  the  breakfast- 
room,  where  a  party  of  above  a  dozen  persons  were  most 
gayly  enjoying  all  the  good  cheer  for  which  the  house  had 
a  well-deserved  repute.  After  the  usual  shaking  of  hands 
and  hearty  greetings  were  over,  I  was  introduced  in  all 
form  to  Sir  George  Dashwood,  a  tall  and  singularly  hand- 
some man  of  about  fifty,  with  an  undress  military  frocJi 
and  ribbon.  His  reception  of  me  was  somewhat  strange ; 
for  as  they  mentioned  my  relationship  to  Godfre}^  O'Malley, 
he  smiled  slightly,  and  whispered  something  to  Mr.  Blake, 
who  replied,  "  Oh,  no,  no  ;  not  the  least.  A  mere  boy ; 
and  besides  —  "  What  he  added  I  lost,  for  at  that  moment 
Nora  Blake  was  presenting  me  to  Miss  Dashwood. 

If  the  sweetest  blue  eyes  that  ever  beamed  beneath  a 
forehead  of  snowy  whiteness,  over  which  dark  brown  and 
waving  hair  fell  less  in  curls  than  masses  of  locky  rich- 
ness, could  only  have  known  what  wild  work  they  were 
making  of  my  poor  heart.  Miss  Dashwood,  I  trust,  would 
have  looked  at  her  teacup  or  her  muffin  rather  than  at  me, 
as  she  actually  did  on  that  fatal  morning.  If  I  were  to 
judge  from  her  costume,  she  had  only  just  arrived,  and 
the  morning  air  had  left  upon  her  cheek  a  bloom  that  con- 
tributed greatly  to  the  effect  of  her  lovely  countenance. 
Although  very  young,  her  form  had  all  the  roundness  of 
womanhood ;  while  her  gay  and  sprightly  manner  indicated 
all  the  sans  gene  which  only  very  young  girls  possess,  and 
which,  when  tempered  with  perfect  good  taste,  and  accom- 
panied by  beauty  and  no  small  share  of  talent,  forms  an 
irresistible  power  of  attraction. 

Beside  her  sat  a  tall,  handsome  man  of  about  five-and- 
thirty  or  perhaps  forty  years  of  age,  with  a  most  soldierly 
air,  who  as  I  was  presented  to  him  scarcely  turned  his 
head,  and  gave  me  a  half-nod  of  very  unequivocal  coldness. 
There  are  moments  in  life  in  which  the  heart  is,  as  it  were, 
laid  bare  to  any  chance  or  casual  impression  with  a  won- 
drous sensibility  of  pleasure  or  its  opposite.  This  to  me 
was  one  of  those  ;  and  as  I  turned  from  the  lovely  girl, 
who  had  received  me  with  a  marked  courtesy,  to  the  cold 
air  and  repelling  hauteur  of  the  dark-browed  captain,  the 
blood  rushed  throbbing  to  my  forehead ;  and  as  I  walked  to 

VOL.  I.  —  2 


18  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

my  place  at  the  table,  I  eagerly  sought  his  eye,  to  return 
him  a  look  of  defiance  and  disdain,  proud  and  contemjituous 
as  his  own.  Captain  Haniniersley,  however,  never  took  fur- 
ther notice  of  me,  but  continued  to  recount,  for  the  amuse- 
ment of  those  about  him,  several  excellent  stories  of  his 
military  career,  which,  I  confess,  were  heard  with  every  test 
of  delight  by  all  save  me.  One  thing  galled  me  particu- 
larly, —  and  how  easy  is  it,  when  you  have  begun  by  dis- 
liking a  person,  to  supply  food  for  your  antipathy,  —  all 
his  allusions  to  his  military  life  were  coupled  with  half- 
hinted  and  ill-concealed  sneers  at  civilians  of  every  kind, 
as  though  every  man  not  a  soldier  were  absolutely  unfit 
for  common  intercourse  with  the  world,  still  more  for  any 
favorable  reception  in  ladies'  society. 

The  young  ladies  of  the  family  were  a  well-chosen  au- 
ditory, for  their  admiration  of  the  army  extended  from 
the  Life  Guards  to  the  Veteran  Battalion,  the  Sappers  and 
Miners  included ;  and  as  Miss  Dash  wood  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  a  soldier,  she  of  course  coincided  in  many  of,  if  not 
all,  his  opinions.  I  turned  towards  my  neighbor,  a  Clare 
gentleman,  and  tried  to  engage  him  in  conversation,  but 
he  was  breathlessly  attending  to  the  captain.  On  my  left 
sat  Matthew  Blake,  whose  eyes  were  firmly  riveted  upon  the 
same  person,  and  who  heard  his  marvels  wdth  an  interest 
scarcely  inferior  to  that  of  his  sisters.  Annoyed  and  in 
ill-temper,  I  ate  my  breakfast  in  silence,  and  resolved  that 
the  first  moment  I  could  obtain  a  hearing  from  Mr.  Blake 
I  would  open  my  negotiation,  and  take  my  leave  at  once 
of  Gurt-na-Morra. 

We  all  assembled  in  a  large  room,  called  by  courtesy  the 
library,  when  breakfast  was  over ;  and  then  it  was  that  Mr. 
Blake,  taking  me  aside,  whispered,  "  Charley,  it 's  right  I 
should  inform  you  that  Sir  George  Dashwood  there  is  the 
Commander  of  the  Forces,  and  is  come  down  here  at  this 
moment  to  — "  What  for,  or  how  it  should  concern  me,  I 
was  not  to  learn ;  for  at  that  critical  instant  my  informant's 
attention  was  called  off  by  Captain  Hammersley  asking  if 
the  hounds  were  to  hunt  that  day. 

"  My  friend  Charley  here  is  the  best  authority  upon  that 
matter,"  said  Mr.  Blake,  turning  towards  me. 


MR.   BLAKE.  19 

"  They  are  to  try  the  Priest's  meadows,"  said  I,  with  an 
air  of  some  importance  ;  "but  if  your  guests  desire  a  day's 
sport,  I'll  send  word  over  to  Brackely  to  bring  the  dogs 
over  here,  and  we  are  sure  to  find  a  fox  in  your  cover." 

"  Oh,  then,  by  all  means,"  said  the  captain,  turning 
towards  Mr.  Blake,  and  addressing  himself  to  him,  —  "  by 
all  means  ;  and  Miss  Dashwood,  I  'm  sure,  would  like  to 
see  the  hounds  throw  off." 

Whatever  chagrin  the  first  part  of  his  speech  caused 
me,  the  latter  set  my  heart  a-throbbing ;  and  I  hastened 
from  the  room  to  despatch  a  messenger  to  the  huntsman 
to  come  over  to  Gurt-na-Morra,  and  also  another  to  O'Mal- 
ley  Castle  to  bring  my  best  horse  and  my  riding  equip- 
ments as  quickly  as  possible. 

"  Matthew,  who  is  this  captain  ?  "  said  I,  as  young  Blake 
met  me  in  the  hall. 

"Oh,  he  is  the  aide-de-camp  of  General  Dashwood.  A 
nice  fellow,  is  n't  he  ?  " 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  may  think,"  said  I,  "  but  I  take 
him  for  the  most  impertinent,  impudent,  supercilious  —  " 

The  rest  of  my  civil  speech  was  cut  short  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  very  individual  in  question,  who,  with  his  hands 
in  his  pockets  and  a  cigar  in  his  mouth,  sauntered  forth 
down  the  steps,  taking  no  more  notice  of  Matthew  Blake 
and  myself  than  the  two  fox-terriers  that  followed  at  his 
heels. 

However  anxious  I  might  be  to  open  negotiations  on  the 
subject  of  my  mission,  for  the  present  the  thing  was  impos- 
sible ;  for  I  found  that  Sir  George  Dashwood  was  closeted 
closely  with  Mr.  Blake,  and  resolved  to  wait  till  evening, 
when  chance  might  afford  me  the  opportunity  I  desired. 

As  the  ladies  had  retired  to  dress  for  the  hunt,  and  as 
I  felt  no  peculiar  desire  to  ally  myself  with  the  unsocial 
captain,  I  accompanied  Matthew  to  the  stable  to  look  after 
the  cattle,  and  make  preparations  for  the  coming  sport. 

"  There  's  Captain  Hammersley's  mare,"  said  jNIatthew,  as 
he  pointed  out  a  highly  bred  but  powerful  English  hunter. 
"  She  came  last  night ;  for  as  he  expected  some  sport,  he 
sent  his  horses  from  Dublin  on  purpose.  The  others  will 
be  here  to-day." 


20  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"What  is  his  regiment  ?"  said  I,  with  an  appearance  of 
carelessness,  but  in  reality  feeling  curious  to  know  if  the 
captain  was  a  cavalry  or  infantry  officer. 

"  The  — th  Light  Dragoons," 

"  You  never  saw  him  ride  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Never ;  but  his  groom  there  says  he  leads  the  way  in 
his  own  country." 

"  And  where  may  that  be  ?  " 

"  In  Leicestershire,  no  less,"  said  Matthew. 

"  Does  he  know  Galway  ?  " 

"  Never  was  in  it  before.  It 's  only  this  minute  he  asked 
Moses  Daly  if  the  ox-fences  were  high  here." 

"  Ox-fences  !    Then  he  does  not  know  what  a  wall  is  ?  " 

"  Devil  a  bit ;  but  we  '11  teach  him." 

"  That  we  will,"  said  I,  with  as  bitter  a  resolution  to  im- 
part the  instruction  as  ever  schoolmaster  did  to  whip  Latin 
grammar  into  one  of  the  great  unbreeched. 

"But  I  had  better  send  the  horses  down  to  the  Mill," 
said  Matthew ;  "  we  '11  draw  that  cover  first." 

So  saying,  he  turned  towards  the  stable,  while  I  saun- 
tered alone  towards  the  road  by  which  I  expected  the 
huntsman.  I  had  not  walked  half  a  mile  before  I  heard 
the  yelping  of  the  dogs,  and  a  little  farther  on  I  saw  old 
Brackely  coming  along  at  a  brisk  trot,  cutting  the  hounds 
on  each  side,  and  calling  after  the  stragglers. 

"  Did  you  see  my  horse  on  the  road,  Brackely  ?  "  said  I. 

"  I  did,  Misther  Charles  ;  and  troth,  I  'm  sorry  to  see  him. 
Sure  yerself  knows  better  than  to  take  out  the  Badger,  the 
best  steeple-chaser  in  Ireland,  in  such  a  country  as  this,  — 
nothing  but  awkward  stone-fences,  and  not  a  foot  of  sure 
ground  in  the  whole  of  it." 

"  I  know  it  well,  Brackely ;  but  I  have  my  reasons  for  it." 

"  Well,  may  be  you  have ;  what  cover  will  your  honor  try 
first  ?  " 

"  They  talk  of  the  Mill,"  said  I ;  «  but  I  'd  much  rather 
try  Morran-a^Gowl." 

"  Morran-a-Gowl  !  Do  you  want  to  break  your  neck 
entirely  ?  " 

"  No,  Brackely,  not  mine." 

"  Whose,  then,  alannah  ?  " 


MR.  BLAKE.  21 

"  An  English  captain's,  the  devil  fly  away  with  him  ! 
He 's  come  down  here  to-day,  and  from  all  I  can  see  is 
a  most  impudent  fellow  ;  so,  Brackely  — " 

"  I  understand.  Well,  leave  it  to  me ;  and  though  I  don't 
Like  the  only  deer-park  wall  on  the  hill,  we  '11  try  it  this 
morning  with  the  blessing.  I  '11  take  him  down  by  Wood- 
ford, over  the  Devil's  Mouth,  —  it 's  eighteen  foot  wide  this 
minute  with  the  late  rains,  —  into  the  four  callows  ;  then 
over  the  stone-walls,  down  to  Dangan ;  then  take  a  short 
cast  up  the  hill,  blow  him  a  bit,  and  give  him  the  park  wall 
at  the  top.  You  must  come  in  then  fresh,  and  give  him 
the  whole  run  home  over  Sleibhmich.  The  Badger  knows 
it  all,  and  takes  the  road  always  in  a  fly,  —  a  mighty  dis- 
tressing thing  for  the  horse  that  follows,  more  particularly 
if  he  does  not  understand  a  stony  country.  Well,  if  he 
lives  through  this,  give  him  the  sunk  fence  and  the  stone 
wall  at  Mr.  Blake's  clover-field,  for  the  hounds  will  run  into 
the  fox  about  there ;  and  though  we  never  ride  that  leap 
since  INIr.  Malone  broke  his  neck  at  it,  last  October,  yet 
upon  an  occasion  like  this,  and  for  the  honor  of  Gal  way — " 

"  To  be  sure,  Brackely ;  and  here  's  a  guinea  for  you,  and 
now  trot  on  towards  the  house.  They  must  not  see  us  to- 
gether, or  they  might  suspect  something.  But,  Brackely," 
said  I,  calling  out  after  him,  "  if  he  rides  at  all  fair,  what 's 
to  be  done  ?  " 

"  Troth,  then,  myself  does  n't  know.  There  is  nothing  so 
bad  west  of  Athlone.     Have  ye  a  great  spite  again  him  ?  " 

"  I  have,"  said  I,  fiercely. 

"  Could  ye  coax  a  fight  out  of  him  ?  " 

"  That 's  true,"  said  I ;  "  and  now  ride  on  as  fast  as  you 
can." 

Brackely's  last  words  imparted  a  lightness  to  my  heart 
and  my  step,  and  I  strode  along  a  very  different  man  from 
what  I  had  left  the  house  half  an  hour  previously. 


CHAPTEK   ly. 

THE    HUNT. 

Although  we  had  not  the  advantages  of  a  southerly  wind 
and  cloudy  sky,  the  day  towards  noon  became  strongly  over- 
cast, and  promised  to  afford  us  good  scenting  weather ;  and  as 
we  assembled  at  the  meet,  mutual  congratulations  were  ex- 
changed upon  the  improved  appearance  of  the  day.  Young 
Blake  had  provided  Miss  Dash  wood  with  a  quiet  and  well- 
trained  horse,  and  his  sisters  were  all  mounted  as  usual  upon 
their  own  animals,  giving  to  our  turnout  quite  a  gay  and 
lively  aspect.  I  myself  came  to  cover  upon  a  hackney,  hav- 
ing sent  Badger  with  a  groom,  and  longed  ardently  for  the 
moment  when,  casting  the  skin  of  my  great-coat  and  over- 
alls, I  should  appear  before  the  world  in  my  well-appointed 
"cords  and  tops."  Captain  Hammersley  had  not  as  yet 
made  his  appearance,  and  many  conjectures  were  afloat  as 
to  whether  "  he  might  have  missed  the  road,  or  changed  his 
mind,"  or  "forgot  all  about  it,"  as  Miss  Dash  wood  hinted. 

"  Who,  pray,  pitched  upon  this  cover  ? "  said  Caroline 
Blake,  as  she  looked  with  a  practised  eye  over  the  country 
on  either  side. 

"  There  is  no  chance  of  a  fox  late  in  the  day  at  the  Mill," 
said  the  huntsman,  inventing  a  lie  for  the  occasion. 

"  Then  of  course  you  never  intend  us  to  see  much  of  the 
sport ;  for  after  you  break  cover,  you  are  entirely  lost  to  us." 

"I  thought  you  always  followed  the  hounds,"  said  Miss 
Dashwood,  timidly. 

"  Oh,  to  be  sure  we  do,  in  any  common  country,  but  here 
it  is  out  of  the  question ;  the  fences  are  too  large  for  any 
one,  and  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  these  gentlemen  will  not 
ride  far  over  this.  There,  look  yonder,  where  the  river 
is  rushing  down  the  hill :  that  stream,  widening  as  it  ad- 
vances, crosses  the  cover  nearly  midway,  —  well,  they  must 
clear  that ;  and  then  you  may  see  these  walls  of  large  loose 


THE   HUNT.  23 

stones  nearly  five  feet  in  height.  That  is  the  usual  course 
the  fox  takes,  unless  he  heads  towards  the  hills  and  goes 
towards  Dangan,  and  then  there  's  an  end  of  it ;  for  the 
deer-park  wall  is  usually  a  pull  up  to  every  one  except, 
perhaps,  to  our  friend  Charley  yonder,  Avho  has  tried  his 
fortune  against  drowning  more  than  once  there." 

"Look,  here  he  comes,"  said  Matthew  Blake,  "and  look- 
ing splendidly  too,  —  a  little  too  much  in  flesh  perhaps,  if 
anything." 

"  Captain  Hammersley  !  "  said  the  four  Miss  Blakes,  in  a 
breath.     "  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  No ;  it 's  the  Badger  I  'm  speaking  of,"  said  Matthew, 
laughing,  and  pointing  ■with  his  finger  towards  a  corner  of 
the  field  where  my  servant  was  leisurely  throwing  down  a 
wall  about  two  feet  high  to  let  him  pass. 

"  Oh,  how  handsome  !  What  a  charger  for  a  dragoon  !  " 
said  Miss  Dashwood. 

Any  other  mode  of  praising  my  steed  would  have  been 
much  more  acceptable.  The  word  "  dragoon  "  was  a  thorn  in 
my  tenderest  part  that  rankled  and  lacerated  at  every  stir. 
In  a  moment  I  was  in  the  saddle,  and  scarcely  seated  when 
at  once  all  the  mauvais  honte  of  boyhood  left  me,  and  I  felt 
every  inch  a  man.  I  often  look  back  to  that  moment  of 
my  life,  and  comparing  it  with  similar  ones,  cannot  help 
acknowledging  how  purely  is  the  self-possession  which  so 
often  wins  success  the  result  of  some  slight  and  trivial 
association.  My  confidence  in  my  horsemanship  suggested 
moral  courage  of  a  very  different  kind ;  and  I  felt  that 
Charles  O'Malley  curveting  upon  a  thorough-bred,  and  the 
same  man  ambling  upon  a  shelty,  were  tAvo  and  very  dis- 
similar individuals. 

"No  chance  of  the  captain,"  said  Matthew,  who  had  re- 
turned from  a  reconnaissance  upon  the  road ;  "  and  after  all 
it 's  a  pity,  for  the  day  is  getting  quite  favorable." 

While  the  young  ladies  formed  pickets  to  look  out  for  the 
gallant  milltaire,  I  seized  the  opportunity  of  prosecuting  my 
acquaintance  with  Miss  Dashwood,  and  even  in  the  few 
and  passing  observations  that  fell  from  her,  learned  how 
very  different  an  order  of  being  she  was  from  all  I  had 
hitherto  seen  of  country  belles.   A  mixture  of  courtesy  with 


24  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

naivete;  a  wish  to  please,  with  a  certain  feminine  gentle- 
ness, that  always  flatters  a  man,  and  still  more  a  boy  that 
fain  would  be  one,  —  gained  momentarily  more  and  more 
upon  me,  and  put  me  also  on  my  mettle  to  prove  to  my  fair 
companion  that  I  was  not  altogether  a  mere  uncultivated 
and  unthinking  creature,  like  the  remainder  of  those  about 
me. 

"  Here  he  is  at  last,"  said  Helen  Blake,  as  she  cantered 
across  a  field  waving  her  handkerchief  as  a  signal  to  the 
captain,  who  was  now  seen  approaching  at  a  brisk  trot. 

As  he  came  along,  a  small  fence  intervened ;  he  pressed 
his  horse  a  little,  and  as  he  kissed  hands  to  the  fair 
Helen,  cleared  it  in  a  bound,  and  was  in  an  instant  in  the 
midst  of  us. 

"  He  sits  his  horse  like  a  man,  Misther  Charles,"  said 
the  old  huntsman ;  "  troth,  we  must  give  him  the  worst 
bit  of  it." 

Captain  Hammersley  was,  despite  all  the  critical  acumen 
with  which  I  canvassed  him,  the  very  beau-ideal  of  a  gentle- 
man rider ;  indeed,  although  a  very  heavy  man,  his  power- 
ful English  thorough-bred,  showing  not  less  bone  than  blood, 
took  away  all  semblance  of  overweight  ;  his  saddle  was 
well  fitting  and  well  placed,  as  also  was  his  large  and  broad- 
reined  snaffle ;  his  own  costume  of  black  coat,  leathers,  and 
tops  was  in  perfect  keeping,  and  even  to  his  heavy-handled 
hunting-whip  I  could  find  nothing  to  cavil  at.  As  he  rode 
up  he  paid  his  respects  to  the  ladies  in  his  usual  free  and 
easy  manner,  expressed  some  surprise,  but  no  regret,  at 
hearing  that  he  was  late,  and  never  deigning  any  notice  of 
Matthew  or  myself,  took  his  place  beside  Miss  Dashwood, 
with  whom  he  conversed  in  a  low  undertone. 

"  There  they  go  ! "  said  Matthew,  as  five  or  six  dogs,  with 
their  heads  up,  ran  yelping  along  a  furrow,  then  stopped, 
howled  again,  and  once  more  set  off  together.  In  an  in- 
stant all  was  commotion  in  the  little  valley  below  us.  The 
huntsman,  with  his  hand  to  his  mouth,  was  calling  off  the 
stragglers,  and  the  whipper-in  followed  up  the  leading  dogs 
with  the  rest  of  the  pack.  "  They  've  found  !  They  're 
away  ! "  said  Matthew  ;  and  as  he  spoke  a  yell  burst  from 
the  valley,  and  in  an  instant  the  whole  pack  were  off  at  full 


THE  HUNT.  25 

speed.  Eather  more  intent  that  moment  upon  showing  off 
my  horsemanship  than  anything  else,  I  dasliecl  spurs  into 
Badger's  sides,  and  turned  liim  towards  a  rasping  ditch  be- 
fore me ;  over  we  went,  hurling  down  behind  us  a  rotten 
bank  of  clay  and  small  stones,  showing  how  little  safety 
there  had  been  in  topping  instead  of  clearing  it  at  a  bound. 
Before  I  was  well-seated  again  the  captain  was  beside  me. 
"  jSTow  for  it,  then,"  said  I ;  and  away  we  went.  What 
might  be  the  nature  of  his  feelings  I  cannot  pretend  to 
state,  but  my  own  were  a  strange  melange  of  wild,  boyish 
enthusiasm,  revenge,  and  recklessness.  For  my  own  neck 
I  cared  little,  —  nothing ;  and  as  I  led  the  way  by  half  a 
length,  I  muttered  to  myself,  "  Let  him  follow  me  fairly 
this  day,  and  I  ask  no  more." 

The  dogs  had  got  somewhat  the  start  of  us ;  and  as  they 
were  in  full  cry,  and  going  fast,  we  were  a  little  behind.  A 
thought  therefore  struck  me  that,  by  appearing  to  take  a 
short  cut  upon  the  hounds,  I  should  come  down  upon  the 
river  where  its  breadth  Avas  greatest,  and  thus,  at  one  coup, 
might  try  my  friend's  mettle  and  his  horse's  performance  at 
the  same  time.  On  we  went,  our  speed  increasing,  till  the 
roar  of  the  river  we  were  now  approaching  was  plainly 
audible.  I  looked  half  around,  and  now  perceived  the 
captain  was  standing  in  his  stirrups,  as  if  to  obtain  a  vicAV 
of  what  was  before  him ;  otherwise  his  countenance  was 
calm  and  unmoved,  and  not  a  muscle  betrayed  that  he  was 
not  cantering  on  a  parade.  I  fixed  myself  firmly  in  my 
seat,  shook  my  horse  a  little  together,  and  with  a  shout 
whose  import  every  Galway  hunter  well  knows  rushed 
him  at  the  river.  I  saw  the  Avater  dashing  among  the  large 
stones  ;  I  heard  it  splash ;  I  felt  a  bound  like  the  ricochet  of 
a  shot ;  and  we  were  over,  but  so  narrowly  that  the  bank 
had  yielded  beneath  his  hind  legs,  and  it  needed  a  bold 
effort  of  the  noble  animal  to  regain  his  footing.  Scarcely 
was  he  once  more  firm,  when  Hammersley  flew  by  me, 
taking  the  lead,  and  sitting  quietly  in  his  saddle,  as  if 
racing.  I  know  of  little  in  my  after-life  like  the  agony  of 
that  moment ;  for  although  I  was  far,  very  far,  from  wishing 
real  ill  to  him,  yet  I  would  gladly  have  broken  my  leg  or 
my  arm  if  he  could  not  have  been  able  to  follow  me.     And 


26  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

now,  there  lie  was,  actually  a  length  and  a  half  in  advance  ! 
and  worse  than  all.  Miss  Dashwood  must  have  witnessed 
the  whole,  and  doubtless  his  leap  over  the  river  was  better 
and  bolder  than  mine.  One  consolation  yet  remained,  and 
while  I  whispered  it  to  myself  I  felt  comforted  again. 
"  His  is  an  English  mare.  They  understand  these  leaps  ; 
but  what  can  he  make  of  a  Galway  wall  ?  "  The  question 
was  soon  to  be  solved.  Before  us,  about  three  fields,  were 
the  hounds  still  in  full  cry ;  a  large  stone-wall  lay  between, 
and  to  it  we  both  directed  our  course  together.  "  Ha !  " 
thought  I,  "  he  is  floored  at  last,"  as  I  perceived  that  the 
captain  held  his  course  rather  more  in  hand,  and  suffered 
me  to  lead.  "  Now,  then,  for  it !  "  So  saying,  I  rode  at  the 
largest  part  I  could  find,  well  knowing  that  Badger's  powers 
were  here  in  their  element.  One  spring,  one  plunge,  and 
away  we  were,  galloping  along  at  the  other  side.  Not  so 
the  captain ;  his  horse  had  refused  the  fence,  and  he  was 
now  taking  a  circuit  of  the  field  for  another  trial  of  it. 

"  Pounded,  by  Jove  ! "  said  I,  as  I  turned  round  in  my 
saddle  to  observe  him.  Once  more  she  came  at  it,  and 
once  more  balked,  rearing  up,  at  the  same  time,  almost 
so  as  to  fall  backward. 

My  triumph  was  complete  ;  and  I  again  was  about  to 
follow  the  hounds,  when,  throwing  a  look  back,  I  saw 
Hammersley  clearing  the  wall  in  a  most  splendid  manner, 
and  taking  a  stretch  of  at  least  thirteen  feet  beyond  it. 
Once  more  he  was  on  my  flanks,  and  the  contest  renewed. 
Whatever  might  be  the  sentiments  of  the  riders  (mine  I 
confess  to),  between  the  horses  it  now  became  a  tremendous 
struggle.  The  English  mare,  though  evidently  superior  in 
stride  and  strength,  was  slightly  overweighted,  and  had 
not,  besides,  that  cat-like  activity  an  Irish  horse  possesses  ; 
so  that  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  on  either  side 
were  about  equalized.  For  about  half  an  hour  now  the 
pace  was  awful.  We  rode  side  by  side,  taking  our  leaps 
at  exactly  the  same  instant,  and  not  four  feet  apart.  The 
hounds  were  still  considerably  in  advance,  and  were  heading 
towards  the  Shannon,  when  suddenly  the  fox  doubled,  took 
the  hillside,  and  made  for  Dangan.  "Now,  then,  comes  the 
trial  of  strength/'  I  said,  half  aloud,  as  I  threw  my  eye  up  a 


THE   HUNT.  27 

steep  and  rugged  mountain,  covered  with  wild  furze  and  tall 
heath,  around  the  crest  of  which  ran,  in  a  zigzag  direction, 
a  broken  and  dilapidated  wall,  once  the  enclosure  of  a  deer 
park.  This  wall,  which  varied  from  four  to  six  feet  in 
height,  was  of  solid  masonry,  and  would,  in  the  most 
favorable  ground,  have  been  a  bold  leap.  Here,  at  the 
summit  of  a  mountain,  with  not  a  yard  of  footing,  it  was 
absolutely  desperation. 

By  the  time  that  we  reached  the  foot  of  the  hill,  the  fox, 
followed  closely  by  the  hounds,  had  passed  through  a  breach 
in  the  wall ;  while  Matthew  Blake,  with  the  huntsmen  and 
whipper-in,  was  riding  along  in  search  of  a  gap  to  lead  the 
horses  through.  Before  I  put  spurs  to  Badger  to  face  the 
hill,  I  turned  one  look  towards  Hammersley.  There  was  a 
slight  curl,  half-smile,  half-sneer,  upon  his  lip  that  actually 
maddened  me,  and  had  a  precipice  yawned  beneath  my  feet, 
I  should  have  dashed  at  it  after  that.  The  ascent  was  so 
steep  that  I  was  obliged  to  take  the  hill  in  a  slanting  direc- 
tion ;  and  even  thus,  the  loose  footing  rendered  it  dangerous 
in  the  extreme. 

At  length  I  reached  the  crest,  where  the  wall,  more  than 
five  feet  in  height,  stood  frowning  above  and  seeming  to 
defy  me.  I  turned  my  horse  full  round,  so  that  his  very 
chest  almost  touched  the  stones,  and  with  a  bold  cut  of  the 
whip  and  a  loud  halloo,  the  gallant  animal  rose,  as  if  rearing, 
pawed  for  an  instant  to  regain  his  balance,  and  then,  with  a 
frightful  struggle,  fell  backwards,  and  rolled  from  top  to 
bottom  of  the  hill,  carrying  me  along  with  him ;  the  last 
object  that  crossed  my  sight,  as  I  lay  bruised  and  motion- 
less, being  the  captain  as  he  took  the  wall  in  a  flying  leap, 
and  disappeared  at  the  other  side.  After  a  few  scrambling 
efforts  to  rise,  Badger  regained  his  legs  and  stood  beside 
me  ;  but  such  was  the  shock  and  concussion  of  my  fall  that 
all  the  objects  around  seemed  wavering  and  floating  before 
me,  while  showers  of  bright  sparks  fell  in  myriads  before 
my  eyes.  I  tried  to  rise,  but  fell  back  helpless.  Cold 
perspiration  broke  over  my  forehead,  and  I  fainted.  From 
that  moment  I  can  remember  nothing,  till  I  felt  myself 
galloping  along  at  full  speed  upon  a  level  table-land,  with 
the  hounds  about  three  fields  in  advance,  Hammersley  rid- 


28  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ing  foremost,  and  taking  all  his  leaps  coolly  as  ever.  As  I 
swayed  to  either  side  upon  my  saddle,  from  weakness,  I  was 
lost  to  all  thought  or  recollection,  save  a  flickering  memory 
of  some  plan  of  vengeance,  which  still  urged  me  forward. 
The  chase  had  now  lasted  above  an  hour,  and  both  hounds 
and  horses  began  to  feel  the  pace  at  which  they  were  going. 
As  for  me,  I  rode  mechanically ;  I  neither  knew  nor  cared 
for  the  dangers  before  me.  My  eye  rested  on  but  one 
object ;  my  whole  being  was  concentrated  upon  one  vague 
and  undefined  sense  of  revenge.  At  this  instant  the  hunts- 
man came  alongside  of  me. 

"  Are  you  hurted,  Misther  Charles  ?  Did  you  fall  ? 
Your  cheek  is  all  blood,  and  your  coat  is  torn  in  two  ;  and, 
Mother  o'  God !  his  boot  is  ground  to  powder ;  he  does  not 
hear  me  !  Oh,  pull  up  !  pull  up,  for  the  love  of  the  Virgin ! 
There 's  the  clover-field  and  the  sunk  fence  before  you,  and 
you  '11  be  killed  on  the  spot ! " 

"  Where  ?  "  cried  I,  with  the  cry  of  a  madman.  "  Where 's 
the  clover-field  ;  where 's  the  sunk  fence  ?  Ha  !  I  see  it ;  I 
see  it  now." 

So  saying,  I  dashed  the  rowels  into  my  horse's  flanks, 
and  in  an  instant  was  beyond  the  reach  of  the  poor  fellow's 
remonstances.  Another  moment  I  was  beside  the  captain. 
He  turned  round  as  I  came  up ;  the  same  smile  was  upon 
his  mouth ;  I  could  have  struck  him.  About  three  hun- 
dred yards  before  us  lay  the  sunk  fence  ;  its  breadth  was 
about  twenty  feet,  and  a  wall  of  close  brickwork  formed  its 
face.  Over  this  the  hounds  were  now  clambering ;  some 
succeeded  in  crossing,  but  by  far  the  greater  number  fell 
back,  howling,  into  the  ditch. 

I  turned  towards  Hammersley.  He  was  standing  high  in 
his  stirrups,  and  as  he  looked  towards  the  yawning  fence, 
down  which  the  dogs  were  tumbling  in  masses,  I  thought 
(perhaps  it  was  but  a  thought)  that  his  cheek  was  paler. 
I  looked  again ;  he  was  pulling  at  his  horse.  Ha !  it  was 
true  then ;  he  Avould  not  face  it.  I  turned  round  in  my 
saddle,  looked  him  full  in  the  face,  and  as  I  pointed  with 
my  whip  to  the  leap,  called  out  in  a  voice  hoarse  with  pas- 
sion, "  Come  on  ! "  I  saw  no  more.  All  objects  were  lost  to 
me  from  that  moment.    When  next  my  senses  cleared,  I  was 


THE   HUXT.  29 

standing  amidst  the  dogs,  where  they  had  just  killed.  Badger 
stood  blown  and  trembling  beside  me,  his  head  drooping  and 
his  flanks  gored  with  spur-marks.  I  looked  about,  but  all 
consciousness  of  the  past  had  fled  ;  the  concussion  of  my 
fall  had  shaken  my  intellect,  and  I  was  like  one  but  half- 
awake.  One  glimpse,  short  and  fleeting,  of  what  was  taking 
place  shot  through  my  brain,  as  old  Brackely  whispered  to 
me,  "  By  my  soul,  ye  did  for  the  captain  there."  I  turned 
a  vague  look  upon  him,  and  my  eyes  fell  upon  the  figure  of  a 
man  that  lay  stretched  and  bleeding  upon  a  door  before  me. 
His  pale  face  was  crossed  with  a  purple  stream  of  blood 
that  trickled  from  a  wound  beside  his  eyebrow ;  his  arms 
lay  motionless  and  heavily  at  either  side.  I  knew  him  not. 
A  loud  report  of  a  pistol  aroused  me  from  my  stupor  ;  I 
looked  back.  I  saw  a  crowd  that  broke  suddenly  asunder 
and  fled  right  and  left.  I  heard  a  heavy  crash  upon  the 
ground ;  I  pointed  with  my  finger,  for  I  could  not  utter  a 
word. 

"It  is  the  English  mare,  yer  honor;  she  was  a  beauty 
this  morning,  but  she  's  broke  her  shoulder-bone  and  both 
her  legs,  and  it  was  best  to  put  her  out  of  pain." 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE   DRAWING-ROOM. 

On  the  fourtli  day  following  the  adventure  detailed  in 
the  last  chapter,  I  made  my  appearance  in  the  drawing- 
room,  my  cheek  well  blanched  by  copious  bleeding,  and 
my  step  tottering  and  uncertain.  On  entering  the  room,  I 
looked  about  in  vain  for  some  one  who  might  give  me  an 
insight  into  the  occurrences  of  the  four  preceding  days  ;  but 
no  one  was  to  be  met  with.  The  ladies,  I  learned,  were  out 
riding ;  Matthew  was  buying  a  new  setter,  Mr.  Blake  was 
canvassing,  and  Captain  Hammersley  was  in  bed.  Where 
was  Miss  Dash  wood  ?  —  in  her  room;  and  Sir  George?  — 
he  was  with  Mr.  Blake. 

"What !     Canvassing,  too  ?  " 

"Troth,  that  same  was  possible,"  was  the  intelligent 
reply  of  the  old  butler,  at  which  I  could  not  help  smiling. 
I  sat  down,  therefore,  in  the  easiest  chair  I  could  find,  and 
unfolding  the  county  paj^er,  resoh^ed  upon  learning  how 
matters  were  going  on  in  the  political  world.  But  some- 
how, whether  the  editor  was  not  brilliant  or  the  fire  Avas 
hot  or  that  my  own  dreams  were  pleasanter  to  indulge  in 
than  his  fancies,  I  fell  sound  asleep. 

How  differently  is  the  mind  attuned  to  the  active,  busy 
world  of  thought  and  action  when  awakened  from  sleep  by 
any. sudden  and  rude  summons  to  arise  and  be  stirring,  and 
Avhen  called  into  existence  by  the  sweet  and  silvery  notes 
of  softest  music  stealing  over  the  senses,  and  while  they 
impart  awakening  thoughts  of  bliss  and  beauty,  scarcely 
dissipating  the  dreamy  influence  of  slumber  !  Such  was  my 
first  thought,  as,  with  closed  lids,  the  thrilling  chords  of  a 
harp  broke  upon  my  sleep  and  aroused  me  to  a  feeling  of 
unutterable  pleasure.  I  turned  gently  round  in  my  chair 
and  beheld  Miss  Dashwood.  She  was  seated  in  a  recess  of 
an  old-fashioned  window  ;  the  pale  yellow  glow  of  a  wintry 


THE   DRAWING-ROOM.  31 

sun  at  evening  fell  upon  her  beautiful  hair,  and  tinged 
it  with  such  a  light  as  I  have  often  since  then  seen  in 
Eembrandt's  pictures  ;  her  head  leaned  upon  the  harp,  and 
as  she  struck  its  chords  at  random,  I  saw  that  her  mind  was 
far  away  from  all  around  her.  As  I  looked,  she  suddenly 
started  from  her  leaning  attitude,  and  parting  back  her 
curls  from  her  brow,  she  preluded  a  few  chords,  and  then 
sighed  forth,  rather  than  sang,  that  most  beautiful  of 
Moore's  melodies,  — 

"  She  is  far  from  the  land  where  her  young  hero  sleeps." 

Never  before  had  such  pathos,  such  deep  utterance  of  feel- 
ing, met  my  astonished  sense  ;  I  listened  breathlessly  as 
the  tears  fell  one  by  one  down  my  cheek ;  my  bosom 
heaved  and  fell ;  and  when  she  ceased,  I  hid  my  head 
between  my  hands  and  sobbed  aloud.  In  an  instant,  she 
was  beside  me,  and  placing  her  hand  upon  my  shoulder, 
said,  — 

"  Poor  dear  boy,  I  never  suspected  you  of  being  there,  or 
I  should  not  have  sung  that  mournful  air." 

I  started  and  looked  up ;  and  from  what  I  know  not,  but 
she  suddenly  crimsoned  to  her  very  forehead,  while  she 
added  in  a  less  assured  tone,  — 

"  I  hope,  Mr.  O'Malley,  that  you  are  much  better ;  and  I 
trust  there  is  no  imprudence  in  your  being  here." 

"  For  the  latter,  I  shall  not  answer,"  said  I,  with  a  sickly 
smile ;  "  but  already  I  feel  your  music  has  done  me  service." 

"  Then  let  me  sing  more  for  you." 

"If  I  am  to  have  a  choice,  I  should  say.  Sit  down,  and 
let  me  hear  you  talk  to  me.  My  illness  and  the  doctor 
together  have  made  wild  work  of  my  poor  brain  ;  but  if 
you  will  talk  to  me  —  " 

"  Well,  then,  what  shall  it  be  about  ?  Shall  I  tell  you  a 
fairy  tale  ?  " 

"  I  need  it  not ;  I  feel  I  am  in  one  this  instant." 

"  Well,  then,  what  say  you  to  a  legend ;  for  I  am  rich 
in  my  stores  of  them  ?  " 

"  The  O'Malleys  have  their  chronicles,  wild  and  barbarous 
enough  without  the  aid  of  Thor  and  Woden." 


32  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Tlien,  shall  we  cliat  of  every-day  matters  ?  Should  you 
like  to  hear  how  the  election  and  the  canvass  go  on  ?  " 

"  Yes  ;  of  all  things." 

"Well,  then,  most  favorably.  Two  baronies,  with  most 
unspeakable  names,  have  declared  for  us,  and  confidence  is 
rapidly  increasing  among  our  party.  This  I  learned,  by 
chance,  yesterday ;  for  papa  never  permits  us  to  know 
anything  of  these  matters,  —  not  even  the  names  of  the 
candidates." 

"  Well,  that  was  the  very  point  I  was  coming  to ;  for  the 
government  were  about  to  send  down  some  one  just  as  I 
left  home,  and  I  am  most  anxious  to  learn  who  it  is." 

"  Then  am  I  utterly  valueless  ;  for  I  really  can't  say  what 
party  the  government  espouses,  and  only  know  of  our  own." 

"  Quite  enough  for  me  that  you  wish  it  success,"  said  I, 
gallantly.  "  Perhaps  you  can  tell  me  if  my  uncle  has  heard 
of  my  accident  ?" 

"  Oh,  yes ;  but  somehow  he  has  not  been  here  himself, 
but  sent  a  friend,  —  a  Mr.  Considine,  I  think  ;  a  very  strange 
person  he  seemed.  He  demanded  to  see  papa,  and  it  seems, 
asked  him  if  your  misfortune  had  been  a  thing  of  his  con- 
trivance, and  whether  lie  was  ready  to  explain  his  conduct 
about  it ;  and,  in  fact,  I  believe  he  is  mad." 

"Heaven  confound  him!"  I  muttered  between  my  teeth. 

"  And  then  he  wished  to  have  an  interview  with  Captain 
Hammersley.  However,  he  is  too  ill ;  but  as  the  doctor 
hoped  he  might  be  down-stairs  in  a  week,  Mr.  Considine 
kindly  hinted  that  he  should  Avait." 

"  Ohj  then,  do  tell  me  how  is  the  captain." 

"  Very  much  bruised,  very  much  disfigured,  they  say," 
said  she,  half  smiling ;  "  but  not  so  much  hurt  in  body  as 
in  mind." 

"  As  how,  may  I  ask  ?  "  said  I,  with  an  appearance  of 
innocence. 

"  I  don't  exactly  understand  it ;  but  it  would  appear  that 
there  was  something  like  rivalry  among  you  gentlemen 
chasseurs  on  that  luckless  morning,  and  that  while  you 
paid  the  penalty  of  a  broken  head,  he  was  destined  to  lose 
his  horse  and  break  his  arm." 

"  I  certainly  am  sorry,  —  most  sincerely  sorry  for  any 


THE   DRAWING-ROOM.  33 

share  I  might  have  had  in  the  catastrophe  ;  and  my  greatest 
regret,  I  confess,  arises  from  the  fact  that  I  should  cause 
you  unhappiness." 

"  Me  ?     Fray  explain." 

"  Why,  as  Captain  Hammersley  —  " 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  you  are  too  young  now  to  make  me  sus- 
pect you  have  an  intention  to  offend;  but  I  caution  you, 
never  repeat  this." 

I  saw  that  I  had  transgressed,  but  how,  I  most  honestly 
confess,  I  could  not  guess ;  for  though  I  certainly  was  the 
senior  of  my  fair  companion  in  years,  I  was  most  lament- 
ably her  junior  in  tact  and  discretion. 

The  gray  dusk  of  evening  had  long  fallen  as  we  con- 
tinued to  chat  together  beside  the  blazing  wood  embers,  — 
she  evidently  amusing  herself  with  the  original  notions 
of  an  untutored,  unlettered  boy,  and  I  drinking  deep  those 
draughts  of  love  that  nerved  my  heart  through  many  a 
breach  and  battlefield. 

Our  colloquy  was  at  length  interrupted  by  the  entrance 
of  Sir  George,  who  shook  me  most  cordially  by  the  hand, 
and  made  the  kindest  inquiries  about  my  health. 

"  They  tell  me  you  are  to  be  a  lawyer.  Mr.  O'Malley," 
said  he ;  ''  and  if  so,  I  must  advise  you  to  take  better  care  of 
your  headpiece." 

"  A  lawyer,  Papa ;  oh  dear  me !  I  should  never  have 
thought  of  his  being  anything  so  stupid." 

"  Why,  silly  girl,  what  would  you  have  a  man  be  ?  " 

"  A  dragoon,  to  be  sure,  Papa,"  said  the  fond  girl,  as  she 
pressed  her  arm  around  his  manly  figure,  and  looked  up  in 
his  face  with  an  expression  of  mingled  pride  an  i  affection. 

That  word  sealed  my  destiny. 


VOL.   1.  —  3 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE    DINNER. 

When  I  retired  to  my  room  to  dress  for  dinner,  I  found 
my  servant  waiting  with  a  note  from  my  uncle,  to  wliich, 
he  informed  me,  the  messenger  expected  an  answer. 

I  broke  the  seal  and  read :  — 

Dkar  Charley,  —  Do  not  lose  a  moment  in  securing  old  Blake, 
—  if  you  have  not  already  done  so,  —  as  information  has  just  reached 
me  that  the  government  party  has  promised  a  cornetcy  to  young 
Matthew  if  he  can  bring  over  his  father.  And  these  are  the  people 
I  have  been  voting  with  —  a  few  private  cases  excepted  —  for  thirty 
odd  years  ! 

I  am  very  sorry  for  your  accident.  Considine  informs  me  that  it 
will  need  explanation  at  a  later  period.  He  has  been  in  Athlone 
since  Tuesday,  in  hopes  to  catch  the  new  candidate  on  his  way  down, 
and  get  him  into  a  little  jsrivate  quarrel  before  the  day  ;  if  he  suc- 
ceed, it  will  save  the  county  much  expense,  and  conduce  greatly  to 
the  peace  and  happiness  of  all  parties.  But  "  these  things,"  as  Father 
Roach  says,  "  are  in  the  hands  of  Providence."  You  must  also  per- 
suade old  Blake  to  write  a  few  lines  to  Simon  ^lallock,  about  the 
Coolnamuck  mortgage.  We  can  give  him  no  satisfaction  at  present, 
at  least  such  as  he  looks  for  ;  and  don't  be  philandei'ing  any  longer 
where  you  are,  when  your  healtli  permits  a  change  of  quarters. 
Your  aflectionate  uncle, 

Godfrey  O'Malley. 

P.  S.  I  have  just  heard  from  Considine.  He  was  out  this  morn- 
ing and  shot  a  fellow  in  the  knee  ;  but  finds  that  after  all  he  was 
not  the  candidate,  but  a  tourist  that  v/as  writing  a  book  about 
Connemara. 

P.  S.  No.  2.  Bear  the  mortgage  in  nund,  for  old  Mallock  is  a 
spiteful  fellow,  and  has  a  grudge  against  me,  since  I  horsewhipped 
his  son  in  Banagher.     Oh,  the  world,  the  world  !  G.  O'M. 

Until  I  read  this  very  clear  epistle  to  the  end,  I  had  no 
very  precise  conception  how  completely  I  had  forgotten  all 


THE   DESTNEE.  35 

my  uncle's  interests,  and  neglected  all  his  injunctions. 
Already  five  days  had  elapsed,  and  I  had  not  as  much  as 
mooted  the  question  to  Mr.  Blake,  and  probably  all  this 
time  my  uncle  was  calculating  on  the  thing  as  concluded ; 
but,  with  one  hole  in  my  head  and  some  half-dozen  in  my 
heart,  my  memory  Avas  none  of  the  best. 

Snatching  up  the  letter,  therefore,  I  resolved  to  lose  no 
more  time,  and  proceeded  at  once  to  Mr.  Blake's  room, 
expecting  that  I  should,  as  the  event  proved,  find  him 
engaged  in  the  very  laborious  duty  of  making  his  toilet. 


"  Come  in,  Charley,"  said  he,  as  I  tapped  gently  at  the 
door.  "  It  's  only  Charley,  my  darling.  Mrs.  B.  won't 
mind  you." 

"  Not  the  least  in  life,"  responded  Mrs.  B.,  disposing  at 
the  same  time  a  pair  of  her  husband's  corduroys  tippet 
fashion  across  her  ample  shoulders,  which  before  were  dis- 
played in  the  plenitude  and  breadth  of  coloring  we  find 


36  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

in  a  Eubens.  "  Sit  down,  Charley,  and  tell  us  what 's  the 
matter." 

As  until  this  moment  I  was  in  perfect  ignorance  of  the 
Adam-and-Eve-like  simplicity  in  which  the  private  econ- 
omy of  Mr.  Blake's  household  was  conducted,  I  would  have 
gladly  retired  from  what  I  found  to  be  a  mutual  terri- 
tory^ of  dressing-room  had  not  Mr.  Blake's  injvinctions  been 
issued  somewhat  like  an  order  to  remain. 

"  It 's  only  a  letter,  sir,"  said  I,  stuttering,  "  from  my 
uncle  about  the  election.  He  says  that  as  his  majorit}^  is 
now  certain,  he  should  feel  better  pleased  in  going  to  the 
poll  with  all  the  family,  you  know,  sir,  along  with  him.  He 
wishes  me  just  to  sound  your  intentions,  —  to  make  out 
how  you  feel  disposed  towards  him  ;  and  —  and,  faith,  as 
I  am  but  a  poor  diplomatist,  I  thought  the  best  way  was 
to  come  straight  to  the  point  and  tell  you  so." 

"  I  perceive,"  said  Mr.  Blake,  giving  his  chin  at  the  mo- 
ment an  awful  gash  with  the  razor,  —  "I  perceive  ;  go  on." 

"Well,  sir,  I  have  little  more  to  say.  My  uncle  knows 
what  influence  you  have  in  Scariff,  and  expects  you  '11  do 
what  you  can  there." 

"  Anything  more  ?  "  said  Blake,  with  a  very  dry  and  quiz- 
zical expression  I  did  n't  half  like,  —  "  anything  more  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes  ;  you  are  to  write  a  line  to  old  Mallock." 

"  I  understand  ;  about  Coolnamuck,  is  n't  it  ?  " 

"  Exactly ;  I  believe  that 's  all." 

"  Well,  now,  Charley,  you  may  go  down-stairs,  and  we  '11 
talk  it  over  after  dinner." 

"  Yes,  Charley  dear,  go  down,  for  I  'm  going  to  draw  on 
my  stockings,"  said  the  fair  Mrs.  Blake,  with  a  look  of  very 
modest  consciousness. 

When  I  had  left  the  room  I  could  n't  help  muttering  a 
"  Thank  God  ! "  for  the  success  of  a  mission  I  more  than 
once  feared  for,  and  hastened  to  despatch  a  note  to  my 
uncle,  assuring  him  of  the  Blake  interest,  and  adding  that 
for  propriety's  sake  I  should  defer  my  departure  for  a  day 
or  two  longer. 

This  done,  with  a  heart  lightened  of  its  load  and  in  high 
spirits  at  my  cleverness,  I  descended  to  the  drawing-room. 
Here  a  very  large  party  were  already  assembled,  and  at 


THE   DINNER.  37 

every  opening  of  the  door  a  new  relay  of  Blakes,  Burkes, 
and  Bodkins  was  introduced.  In  the  absence  of  the  host, 
Sir  George  Dashwood  was  "making  the  agreeable"  to  the 
guests,  and  shook  hands  with  every  new  arrival  with  all 
the  warmth  and  cordiality  of  old  friendship.  While  thus 
he  inquired  for  various  absent  individuals,  and  asked  most 
affectionately  for  sundry  aunts  and  uncles  not  forthcoming, 
a  slight  incident  occurred  which  by  its  ludicrous  turn  served 
to  shorten  the  long  half-hour  before  dinner.  An  individual 
of  the  party,  a  Mr.  Blake,  had,  from  certain  peculiarities  of 
face,  obtained  in  his  boyhood  the  sobriquet  of  "  Shave-the- 
wind."  This  hatchet-like  conformation  had  grown  with  his 
growth,  and  perpetuated  upon  him  a  nickname  by  which 
alone  was  he  ever  spoken  of  among  his  friends  and  acquaint- 
ances ;  the  only  difference  being  that  as  he  came  to  man's 
estate,  brevity,  that  soul  of  wit,  had  curtailed  the  epithet  to 
mere  "  Shave."  Now,  Sir  George  had  been  hearing  frequent 
reference  made  to  him  always  by  this  name,  heard  him  ever 
so  addressed,  and  perceived  him  to  reply  to  it ;  so  that  when 
he  was  himself  asked  by  some  one  what  sport  he  had  found 
that  day  among  the  woodcocks,  he  answered  at  once,  with 
a  bow  of  very  grateful  acknowledgment,  "  Excellent,  indeed ; 
but  entirely  owing  to  where  I  was  placed  in  the  copse.  Had 
it  not  been  for  Mr.  Shave  there  —  " 

I  need  not  say  that  the  remainder  of  his  speech,  being 
heard  on  all  sides,  became  one  universal  shout  of  laughter, 
in  which,  to  do  him  justice,  the  excellent  Shave  himself 
heartily  joined.  Scarcely  were  the  sounds  of  mirth  lulled 
into  an  apparent  calm,  when  the  door  opened  and  the  host 
and  hostess  appeared.  Mrs.  Blake  advanced  in  all  the  plen- 
itude of  her  charms,  arrayed  in  crimson  satin,  sorely  in- 
jured in  its  freshness  by  a  patch  of  grease  upon  the  front 
about  the  same  size  and  shape  as  the  continent  of  Europe 
in  Arrowsmith's  Atlas.  A  swan's-down  tippet  covered  her 
shoulders  ;  massive  bracelets  ornamented  her  wrists ;  while 
from  her  ears  descended  two  Irish  diamond  ear-rings,  rival- 
ling in  magnitude  and  value  the  glass  pendants  of  a  lustre. 
Her  reception  of  her  guests  made  ample  amends,  in  warmth 
and  cordiality,  for  any  deficiency  of  elegance  ;  and  as  she 
disposed  her  ample  proportions  upon  the  sofa,  and  looked 


38  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

around  upon  tlie  company,  she  appeared  the  very  imper- 
sonation of  hospitality, 

After  several  openings  and  shuttings  of  the  drawing-room 
door,  accompanied  by  the  appearance  of  old  Simon  the  but- 
ler, who  counted  the  party  at  least  five  times  before  he  was 
certain  that  the  score  was  correct,  dinner  was  at  length  an- 
nounced. Now  came  a  moment  of  difficulty,  and  one  which, 
as  testing  Mr.  Blake's  tact,  he  would  gladly  have  seen  de- 
volve upon  some  other  shoulders  ;  for  he  well  knew  that 
the  marshalling  a  room  full  of  mandarins,  blue,  green,  and 
yellow,  was  ''cakes  and  gingerbread"  to  ushering  a  Gal- 
way  party  in  to  dinner. 

First,  then,  was  Mr.  Miles  Bodkin,  whose  grandfather 
would  have  been  a  lord  if  Cromwell  had  not  hanged  him 
one  fine  morning.  Then  Mrs.  ]\Iosey  Blake's  first  husband 
was  promised  the  title  of  Kilmaciid  if  it  was  ever  restored; 
whereas  Mrs.  French  of  Knocktumnor's  mother  was  then 
at  law  for  a  title.  And  lastly,  Mrs.  Joe  Burke  was  fourth 
cousin  to  Lord  Clanricarde,  as  is  or  will  be  every  Burke 
from  this  to  the  day  of  judgment.  Now,  luckily  for  her 
prospects,  the  lord  was  alive  ;  and  Mr.  Blake,  remembering 
a  very  sage  adage  about  "  dead  lions,"  etc.,  solved  the  diffi- 
culty at  once  by  gracefully  tucking  the  lady  under  his  arm 
and  leading  the  way.  The  others  soon  followed,  the  priest 
of  Portumna  and  my  unworthy  self  bringing  up  the  rear. 

AVhen,  many  a  year  afterwards,  the  hard  ground  of  a 
mountain  bivouac,  with  its  pitiful  portion  of  pickled  cork- 
tree yclept  mess-beef,  and  that  pyroligneous  aquafortis  they 
call  corn-brandy  have  been  my  hard  fare,  I  often  looked 
back  to  that  day's  dinner  with  a  most  heart-yearning  sensa- 
tion, —  a  turbot  as  big  as  the  Waterloo  shield,  a  sirloin 
that  seemed  cut  from  the  sides  of  a  rhinoceros,  a  sauce-boali 
that  contained  an  oyster-bed.  There  was  a  turkey,  which 
singly  would  have  formed  the  main  army  of  a  French  din- 
ner, doing  mere  outpost  duty,  flanked  by  a  picket  of  ham 
and  a  detached  squadron  of  chickens  carefully  ambushed 
in  a  forest  of  greens  ;  potatoes,  not  disguised  a  la  ^nmtre 
cChotel  and  tortured  to  resemble  bad  macaroni,  but  piled 
like  shot  in  an  ordnance-yard,  were  posted  at  different 
quarters ;  while  massive  decanters  of  port  and  sherry  stood 


THE   DINNER.  39 

proudly  lap  like  standard  bearers  amidst  the  goodly  array, 
Tliis  was  none  of  your  austere  "great  dinners,"  where  a 
cold  and  chilling  plateau  of  artificial  nonsense  cuts  off  one- 
half  of  the  table  from  intercourse  with  the  other  ;  when 
whispered  sentences  constitute  the  conversation,  and  all 
the  friendly  recognition  of  wine-drinking,  which  renews 
acquaintance  and  cements  an  intimacy,  is  replaced  by  the 
ceremonious  filling  of  your  glass  by  a  lackey ;  where  smiles 
go  current  in  lieu  of  kind  speeches,  and  epigram  and  smart- 
ness form  the  substitute  for  the  broad  jest  and  merry  story. 
Far  from  it.    Here  the  company  ate,  drank,  talked,  laughed, 

—  did  all  but  sing,  and  certainly  enjoyed  themselves  hear- 
tily. As  for  me,  I  was  little  more  than  a  listener ;  and 
such  was  the  crash  of  plates,  the  jingle  of  glasses,  and  the 
clatter  of  voices,  that  fragments  only  of  what  Avas  passing 
around  reached  me,  giving  to  the  conversation  of  the  party 
a  character  occasionally  somewhat  incongruous.  Thus  such 
sentences  as  the  following  ran  foul  of  each  other  every 
instant :  — 

"  Ko  better  land  in  Galway  "  —  "  where  could  you  find 
such  facilities "  — "  for  shooting  Mr.  Jones  on  his  way 
home "  —  "  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but 
the  truth  "  —  "  kiss  "  — ''  jSIiss  Blake,  she  's  the  girl  with 
a  foot  and  ankle"  —  "Daly  has  never  had  wool  on  his 
sheep  "  —  "  how  could  he  "  —  "  what  does  he  pay  for  the 
mountain  "  —  "  four  and  tenpence  a  yard  "  —  "  not  a  penny 
less  "  —  "  all  the  cabbage-stalks  and  potato-skins  "  —  "  with 
some  bog  stuff  through  it  "  —  "  that 's  the  thing  to  "  — 
"  make  soup,  with  a  red   herring  in   it  instead  of   salt " 

—  "  and  when  he  proposed  for  my  niece,  ma'am,  says 
he "  — "  mix  a  strong  tumbler,  and  I'll  make  a  shake- 
down for  you  on  the  floor "  — "  and  may  the  Lord  have 
mercy  on  your  soul "  —  "  and  now,  down  the  middle  and 
up  again  "  —  "  Captain  Magan,  my  dear,  he  is  the  man  "  — 
"  to  shave  a  pig  properly  "  —  "  it 's  not  money  I  'm  looking- 
for,  says  he,  the  girl  of  my  heart "  —  "  if  she  had  not  a  wind- 
gall  and  two  spavins  "  —  "I 'd  have  given  her  the  rights  of 
the  church,  of  coorse,"  said  Father  Koach,  bringing  up  the 
rear  of  this  ill-assorted  jargon. 

Such  were   the   scattered  links   of   conversation   I  was 


40  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

condemned  to  listen  to,  till  a  general  rise  on  the  part  of 
the  ladies  left  us  alone  to  discuss  our  wine  and  enter  in 
good  earnest  upon  the  more  serious  duties  of  the  evening. 

Scarcely  was  the  door  closed  when  one  of  the  company, 
seizing  the  bell-rope,  said,  "  With  your  leave,  Blake,  we  '11 
have  the  '  dew '  now." 

"  Good  claret,  —  no  better,"  said  another  ;  "  but  it  sits 
mighty  cold  on  the  stomach." 

"  There  's  nothing  like  the  groceries,  after  all,  —  eh,  Sir 
George  ? "  said  an  old  Galway  squire  to  the  English  gen- 
eral, who  acceded  to  the  fact,  which  he  understood  in  a  very 
different  sense. 

"Oh,  punch,  you  are  my  darlin',"  hummed  another,  as  a 
large,  square,  half-gallon  decanter  of  whiskey  was  placed 
on  the  table,  the  various  decanters  of  wine  being  now  igno- 
miniously  sent  down  to  the  end  of  the  board  without  any 
evidence  of  regret  on  any  face  save  Sir  George  Dashwood's, 
who  mixed  his  tumbler  with  a  very  rebellious  conscience. 

Whatever  were  the  noise  and  clamor  of  the  company 
before,  they  were  nothing  to  what  now  ensued.  As  one 
party  were  discussing  the  approaching  contest,  another 
was  planning  a  steeple-chase,  while  two  individiials,  unhap- 
pily removed  from  each  other  the  entire  length  of  the  table, 
were  what  is  called  "  challenging  each  other's  effects  "  in  a 
very  remarkable  manner,  —  the  process  so  styled  being  an 
exchange  of  property,  when  each  party,  setting  an  imag- 
inary value  upon  some  article,  barters  it  for  another,  the 
amount  of  boot  paid  and  received  being  determined  by  a 
third  person,  who  is  the  umpire.  Thus  a  gold  breast-pin 
was  swopped,  as  the  phrase  is,  against  a  horse  ;  then  a  pair 
of  boots,  then  a  Kerry  bull,  etc.,  —  every  imaginable  species 
of  property  coming  into  the  market.  Sometimes,  as  mat- 
ters of  very  dubious  value  turned  up,  great  laughter  was 
the  result.  In  this  very  national  pastime,  a  Mr.  Miles 
Bodkin,  a  noted  fire-eater  of  the  west,  was  a  great  pro- 
ficient ;  and  it  is  said  he  once  so  completely  succeeded  in 
despoiling  an  uninitiated  hand,  that  after  winning  in  suc- 
cession his  horse,  gig,  harness,  etc.,  he  proceeded  seriatim 
to  his  watch,  ring,  clothes,  and  portmanteau,  and  actually 
concluded  by  winning  all  he  possessed,  and  kindly  lent  him 


THE   DIXNER.  41 

a  card-cloth  to  cover  him  on  his  way  to  the  hotel.  His 
success  on  the  present  occasion  Avas  considerable,  and  his 
spirits  proportionate.  The  decanter  had  thrice  been  replen- 
ished, and  the  flushed  faces  and  thickened  utterance  of  the 
guests  evinced  that  from  the  cold  properties  of  the  claret 
there  was  but  little  to  dread.  As  for  Mr.  Bodkin,  his  man- 
ner was  incapable  of  any  higher  flight,  when  \inder  the 
influence  of  whiskey,  than  what  it  evinced  on  common 
occasions  ;  and  as  he  sat  at  the  end  of  the  table  fronting 
Mr.  Blake,  he  assumed  all  the  dignity  of  the  ruler  of  the 
feast,  with  an  energy  no  one  seemed  disposed  to  question. 
In  answer  to  some  observations  of  Sir  George,  he  was  led 
into  something  like  an  oration  upon  the  peculiar  excellences 
of  his  native  country,  which  ended  in  a  declaration  that 
there  was  nothing  like  Galway. 

"  Why  don't  you  give  us  a  song,  Miles  ?  And  may  be 
the  general  would  learn  more  from  it  than  all  your  speech- 
making." 

"  To  be  sure,"  cried  the  several  voices  together,  —  "to  be 
sure  ;  let  us  hear  the  '  Man  for  Galway '  !  " 

Sir  George  having  joined  most  warmly  in  the  request, 
Mr.  Bodkin  filled  up  his  glass  to  the  brim,  bespoke  a  chorus 
to  his  chant,  and  clearing  his  voice  with  a  deep  hem,  began 
the  following  ditty,  to  the  air  which  Moore  has  since  ren- 
dered immortal  by  the  beautiful  song,  "  Wreath  the  BoavI," 
etc.  And,  although  the  words  are  well  known  in  the 
west,  for  the  information  of  less-favored  regions,  I  here 
transcribe  — 

THE   MAN   FOR   GALWAY. 

To  drink  a  toast, 
A  proctor  roast, 

Or  bailiff  as  the  case  is  ; 
To  kiss  your  wife, 
Or  take  your  life 

At  ten  or  fifteen  paces  ; 
To  keep  game-cocks,  to  hunt  the  fox, 

To  drink  in  punch  the  Solway,  , 

With  debts  galore,  but  fun  far  more,  — 

Oh,  that 's  "  the  man  for  Galway." 

Chorus  :  With  debts,  etc. 


42  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

The  King  of  Oude 
Is  mighty  proud, 

And  so  were  onst  the  Caysars  ; 
But  ould  Giles  Eyre 
Would  make  them  stare, 

Av  he  had  them  with  the  Blazers. 
To  the  devil  I  fling  — ould  Runjeet  Sing, 

He  's  only  a  prince  in  a  small  way. 
And  knows  nothing  at  all  of  a  six-foot  wall ; 

Oh,  he  'd  never  "  do  for  Gal  way." 

Chorus  :  With  debts,  etc. 

Ye  think  the  Blakes 
Are  no  "  great  shakes  ;" 

They  're  all  his  blood  relations. 
And  the  Bodkins  sneeze 
At  the  grim  Chinese, 

For  they  come  from  the  Phenaycians. 
So  fill  the  brim,  and  here  's  to  him 

Who  'd  drink  in  punch  the  Solway, 
With  debts  galore,  but  fun  far  more,  — 

Oh,  that 's  "  the  man  for  Galway." 

Chorus  :  With  debts,  etc. 

I  much  fear  that  the  reception  of  this  very  classic  ode 
would  not  be  as  favorable  in  general  companies  as  it  was 
on  the  occasion  I  first  heard  it ;  for  certainly  the  applause 
was  almost  deafening,  and  even  Sir  George,  the  defects  of 
whose  English  education  left  some  of  the  allusions  out 
of  his  reach,  was  highly  amused,  and  laughed  heartily. 

The  conversation  once  more  reverted  to  the  election  ;  and 
although  I  was  too  far  from  those  who  seemed  best  informed 
on  the  matter  to  hear  much,  I  could  catch  enough  to  discover 
that  the  feeling  Avas  a  confident  one.  This  was  gratifying 
to  me,  as  I  had  some  scruples  about  my  so  long  neglecting 
my  uncle's  cause. 

"  We  have  Scariff  to  a  man,"  said  Bodkin. 

"And  Mosey 's  tenantry,"  said  another.  "  I  swear,  though 
there 's  not  a  freehold  registered  on  the  estate,  that  they  '11 
vote,  every  mother's  son  of  them,  or  devil  a  stone  of  the 
court-house  they  '11  leave  standing  on  another." 

"  And  may  the  Lord  look  to  the  returning  officer  !  "  said 
a  third,  throwing  up  his  eyes. 


THE   DINNER.  43 

«  Mosey's  tenantry  are  droll  boys  ;  and  like  their  landlord, 
more  by  token,  they  never  pay  any  rent." 

"  And  what  for  should  n't  they  vote  ?  "  said  a  dry-looking 
little  old  fellow  in  a  red  waistcoat ;  "  when  I  was  the  dead 
agent  —  " 

"  The  dead  agent !  "  interrupted  Sir  George,  with  a  start. 

"  Just  so,"  said  the  old  fellow,  pulling  down  his  spectacles 
h-om  his  forehead,  and  casting  a  half-angry  look  at  Sir 
George,  for  what  he  had  suspected  to  be  a  doubt  of  his 
veracity. 

<'  The  general  does  not  know,  may  be,  what  that  is,"  said 
some  one. 

"  You  have  just  anticipated  me,"  said  Sir  George  ;  "  I 
really  am  in  most  profound  ignorance." 

"It  is  the  dead  agent,"  says  Mr.  Blake,  "who  always 
provides  substitutes  for  any  voters  that  may  have  died 
since  the  last  election.  A  very  important  fact  in  statistics 
may  thus  be  gathered  from  the  poll-books  of  this  county, 
which  proves  it  to  be  the  healthiest  part  of  Europe,  —  a 
freeholder  has  not  died  in  it  for  the  last  fifty  years." 

"  The  '  Kiltopher  boys '  won't  come  this  time ;  they  say 
there 's  no  use  trying  to  vote  when  so  many  were  transported 
last  assizes  for  perjury." 

"  They  're  poor-spirited  creatures,"  said  another. 

"  Not  they,  —  they  are  as  decent  boys  as  any  we  have  ; 
they  're  willing  to  wreck  the  town  for  fifty  shillings'  worth 
of  spirits.  Besides,  if  they  don't  vote  for  the  county,  they 
will  for  the  borough." 

This  declaration  seemed  to  restore  these  interesting  indi- 
viduals to  favor ;  and  now  all  attention  was  turned  towards 
Bodkin,  who  was  detailing  the  plan  of  a  grand  attack  upon 
the  polling-booths,  to  be  headed  by  himself.  By  this  time, 
all  the  prudence  and  guardedness  of  the  party  had  given  way ; 
whiskey  was  in  the  ascendant,  and  every  bold  stroke  of  elec- 
tion policy,  every  cunning  artifice,  every  ingenious  device, 
was  detailed  and  applauded  in  a  manner  which  proved  that 
self-respect  was  not  the  inevitable  gift  of  "mountain  dew." 

The  mirth  and  fun  grew  momentarily  more  boisterous, 
and  ^liles  Bodkin,  who  had  twice  before  been  prevented 
proposing  some  toast  by  a  telegraphic  signal  from  the  other 


44  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

end  of  the  table,  now  swore  that  nothing  should  prevent 
him  any  longer,  and  rising  with  a  smoking  tumbler  in  his 
hand,  delivered  himself  as  follows  :  — 

"  No,  no,  Phil  Blake,  ye  need  n't  be  winkin'  at  me  that 
way  ;  it 's  little  I  care  for  the  spawn  of  the  ould  serpent. 
[Here  great  cheers  greeted  the  speaker,  in  which,  without 
well  knowing  why,  I  heartily  joined.]  I  'm  going  to  give  a 
toast,  boys,  —  a  real  good  toast,  none  of  your  sentimental 
things  about  wall-flowers  or  the  vernal  equinox,  or  that  kind 
of  thing,  but  a  sensible,  patriotic,  manly,  intrepid  toast, — 
a  toast  you  must  drink  in  the  most  universal,  laborious, 
and  awful  manner :  do  ye  see  now  ?  [Loud  cheers.]  If 
any  man  of  you  here  present  does  n't  drain  this  toast  to 
the  bottom  [here  the  speaker  looked  fixedly  at  me,  as 
did  the  rest  of  the  company]  —  then,  by  the  great  gun 
of  Athlone,  I  '11  make  him  eat  the  decanter,  glass-stopper 
and  all,  for  the  good  of  his  digestion  :  d'ye  see  now  ?  " 

The  cheering  at  this  mild  determination  prevented  my 
hearing  what  followed ;  but  the  peroration  consisted  in  a 
very  glowing  eulogy  upon  some  person  unknown,  and 
a  speedy  return  to  him  as  member  for  Galway.  Amidst 
all  the  noise  and  tumult  at  this  critical  moment,  nearly 
every  eye  at  the  table  was  turned  upon  me  ;  and  as  I  con- 
cluded that  they  had  been  drinking  my  uncle's  health,  I 
thundered  away  at  the  mahogany  with  all  my  energy.  At 
length  the  hip-hipping  over,  and  comparative  quiet  restored, 
I  rose  from  my  seat  to  return  thanks  ;  but,  strange  enough. 
Sir  George  Dashwood  did  so  likewise.  And  there  we  both 
stood,  amidst  an  uproar  that  might  well  have  shaken  the 
courage  of  more  practised  orators  ;  while  from  every  side 
came  cries  of  "Hear,  hear!"  —  "Go  on,  Sir  George!"  — 
"  Speak  out,  General !  "  —  "  Sit  down,  Charley  !  "  —  '"  Con- 
found the  boy  !  "  —  "  Knock  the  legs  from  under  him  !  "  etc. 
Not  understanding  why  Sir  George  should  interfere  with 
what  I  regarded  as  my  peculiar  duty,  I  resolved  not  to  give 
way,  and  avowed  this  determination  in  no  very  equivocal 
terms.  "  In  that  case,"  said  the  general,  "  I  am  to  suppose 
tliat  the  young  gentleman  moves  an  amendment  to  your 
proposition  ;  and  as  the  etiquette  is  in  his  favor,  I  yield." 
Here  he  resumed  his  place  amidst  a  most  terrific  scene  of 


THE   DIXXER.  45 

noise  and  tumult,  while  several  humane  proposals  as  to  my 
treatment  were  made  around  me,  and  a  kind  suggestion 
thrown  out  to  break  my  neck  by  a  near  neighbor.  Mr. 
Blake  at  length  prevailed  upon  the  party  to  hear  what  I 
had  to  say,  —  for  he  was  certain  I  should  not  detain  them 
above  a  minute.  The  commotion  having  in  some  measure 
subsided,  I  began  :  "  Gentlemen,  as  the  adopted  son  of  the 
worthy  man  whose  health  you  have  just  drunk  — "  Heaven 
knows  how  I  should  have  continued ;  but  here  my  eloquence 
was  met  by  such  a  roar  of  laughing  as  I  never  before  listened 
to.  From  one  end  of  the  board  to  the  other  it  was  one  con- 
tinued shout,  and  went  on,  too,  as  if  all  the  spare  lungs  of 
the  party  had  been  kept  in  reserve  for  the  occasion.  I 
turned  from  one  to  the  other  ;  I  tried  to  smile,  and  seemed 
to  participate  in  the  joke,  but  failed ;  I  frowned  ;  I  looked 
savagely  about  where  I  could  see  enough  to  turn  my  wrath 
thitherward,  —  and,  as  it  chanced,  not  in  vain  ;  for  Mr.  Miles 
Bodkin,  with  an  intuitive  perception  of  my  wishes,  most 
suddenly  ceased  his  mirth,  and  assuming  a  look  of  froAvning 
defiance  that  had  done  him  good  service  upon  many  former 
occasions,  rose  and  said  :  — 

"  Well,  sir,  I  hope  you  're  proud  of  yourself.  You  've 
made  a  nice  beginning  of  it,  and  a  pretty  story  you  '11  have 
for  your  uncle.  But  if  you  'd  like  to  break  the  news  by 
a  letter  the  general  will  have  great  pleasure  in  franking  it 
for  you ;  for,  by  the  rock  -of  Cashel,  we  '11  carry  him  in 
against  all  the  O'Malley's  that  ever  cheated  the  sheriff." 

Scarcely  were  the  words  uttered,  when  I  seized  my  wine- 
glass, and  hurled  it  with  all  my  force  at  his  head;  so 
sudden  was  the  act,  and  so  true  the  aim,  that  Mr.  Bodkin 
measured  his  length  upon  the  floor  ere  his  friends  could 
appreciate  his  late  eloquent  effusion.  The  scene  now  be- 
came terrific ;  for  though  the  redoubted  Miles  was  hors-de- 
combat,  his  friends  made  a  tremendous  rush  at,  and  would 
infallibly  have  succeeded  in  capturing  me,  had  not  Blake  and 
four  or  five  others  interposed.  Amidst  a  desperate  struggle, 
which  lasted  for  some  minutes,  I  was  torn  from  the  spot, 
carried  bodily  up-stairs,  and  pitched  headlong  into  my  own 
room ;  where,  having  doubly  locked  the  door  on  the  outside, 
they  left  me  to  my  own  cool  and  not  over-agreeable  reflections. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE    FLIGHT    FROM    GURT-NA-MORRA. 

It  was  by  one  of  those  sudden  and  inexplicable  revul- 
sions which  occasionally  restore  to  sense  and  intellect  the 
maniac  of  years  standing,  that  I  was  no  sooner  left  alone 
in  my  chamber  than  I  became  perfectly  sober.  The  fumes 
of  the  wine  —  and  I  had  drunk  deeply  —  were  dissipated  at 
once ;  my  head,  which  but  a  moment  before  was  half  wild 
with  excitement,  was  now  cool,  calm,  and  collected ;  and 
stranger  than  all,  I,  Avho  had  only  an  hour  since  entered 
the  dining-room  with  all  the  unsuspecting  freshness  of  boy- 
hood, became,  by  a  mighty  bound,  a  man,  —  a  man  in  all 
my  feelings  of  responsibility,  a  man  who,  repelling  an  in- 
sult by  an  outrage,  had  resolved  to  stake  his  life  upon  the 
chance.  In  an  instant  a  new  era  in  life  had  opened  before 
me ;  the  light-headed  gayety  which  fearlessness  and  youth 
impart  was  replaced  by  one  absorbing  thought,  -^  one  all- 
engrossing,  all-pervading  impression,  that  if  I  did  not 
follow  up  my  quarrel  with  Bodkin,  I  was  dishonored  and 
disgraced,  my  little  knowledge  of  such  matters  not  being 
sufficient  to  assure  me  that  I  was  now  the  aggressor,  and 
that  any  further  steps  in  the  affair  should  come  from  his 
side. 

So  thoroughly  did  my  own  griefs  occupy  me,  that  I  had 
no  thought  for  the  disappointment  my  poor  uncle  was  des- 
tined to  meet  with  in  hearing  that  the  Blake  interest  was 
lost  to  him,  and  the  former  breach  between  the  families 
irreparably  widened  by  the  events  of  the  evening.  Escape 
was  my  lirst  thought ;  but  how  to  accomplish  it  ?  The 
door,  a  solid  one  of  Irish  oak,  doubly  locked  and  bolted, 
defied  all  my  eiforts  to  break  it  open ;  the  window  was  at 
least  five-and-twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  not  a  tree 
near  to  swing  into.  I  shouted,  I  called  aloud,  I  opened  the 
sash,  and  tried  if  any  one  outside  were  within  hearing  ;  but 


THE  FLIGHT  FROM   GURT-NA-MORRA.  47 

in  vain.  Weary  and  exhausted,  I  sat  down  upon  my  bed 
and  ruminated  over  my  fortunes.  Vengeance  —  quick,  en- 
tire, decisive  vengeance  —  I  thirsted  and  panted  for ;  and 
every  moment  I  lived  under  the  insult  inflicted  on  me 
seemed  an  age  of  torturing  and  maddening  agony.  1  rose 
"with  a  leap ;  a  thought  had  just  occurred  to  me.  I  drew 
the  bed  towards  the  window,  and  fastening  the  sheet  to  one 
of  the  posts  with  a  firm  knot,  I  twisted  it  into  a  rope,  and 
let  myself  dowu  to  within  about  twelve  feet  of  the  ground, 
when  I  let  go  my  hold,  and  dropped  upon  the  grass  be- 
neath safe  and  uninjured.  A  thin,  misty  rain  was  falling, 
and  I  now  perceived,  for  the  first  time,  that  in  my  haste  I 
had  forgotten  my  hat ;  this  thought,  however,  gave  me  little 
uneasiness,  and  I  took  my  way  towards  the  stable,  resolv- 
ing, if  I  could,  to  saddle  my  horse  and  get  off  before  any 
intimation  of  my  escape  reached  the  family. 

When  I  gained  the  yard,  all  was  quiet  and  deserted ;  the 
servants  were  doubtless  enjoying  themselves  beloAV  stairs, 
and  1  met  no  one  on  the  Avay.  I  entered  the  stable, 
threw  the  saddle  upon  "  Badger,"  and  before  five  minutes 
from  my  descent  from  the  window,  was  galloping  towards 
O'Malley  Castle  at  a  pace  that  defied  pursuit,  had  any  one 
thought  of  it. 

It  was  about  five  o'clock  on  a  dark,  wintry  morning  as  I 
led  my  horse  through  the  well-known  defiles  of  out-houses 
and  stables  which  formed  the  long  line  of  offices  to  my 
uncle's  house.  As  yet  no  one  was  stirring ;  and  as  I  wished 
to  have  my  arrival  a  secret  from  the  family,  after  providing 
for  the  wants  of  my  gallant  gray,  I  lifted  the  latch  of  the 
kitchen-door  —  no  other  fastening  being  ever  thought  neces- 
sary, even  at  night  —  and  gently  groped  my  way  towards 
the  stairs ;  all  was  perfectly  still,  and  the  silence  now  re- 
called me  to  reflection  as  to  what  course  I  should  pursue. 
It  was  all-important  that  my  uncle  should  know  nothing  of 
my  quarrel,  otherwise  he  would  inevitably  make  it  his  own, 
and  by  treating  me  like  a  boy  in  the  matter,  give  the  whole 
affair  the  very  turn  I  most  dreaded.  Then,  as  to  Sir  Harry 
Boyle,  he  would  most  certainly  turn  the  whole  thing  into 
ridicule,  make  a  good  story,  perhaps  a  song  out  of  it,  and 
laugh  at  my  notions  of  demanding  satisfaction.     Considine, 


48  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

I  knew,  was  my  man ;  but  then  he  was  at  Athlone,  —  at 
least  so  my  uncle's  letter  mentioned.  Perhaps  he  might 
have  returned  ;  if  not,  to  Athlone  I  should  set  off  at  once. 
So  resolving,  I  stole  noiselessly  up-stairs,  and  reached  the 
door  of  the  count's  chamber ;  I  opened  it  gently  and  en- 
tered ;  and  though  my  step  was  almost  imperceptible  to 
myself,  it  was  quite  sufficient  to  alarm  the  watchful  occu- 
pant of  the  room,  who,  springing  up  in  his  bed,  demanded 
gruffly,  ''  Who 's  there  ?  " 

''Charles,  sir,"  said  I,  shutting  the  door  carefully,  and 
approaching  his  bedside.  "  Charles  O'Malley,  sir.  I  'm 
come  to  have  a  bit  of  your  advice ;  and  as  the  affair  won't 
keep,  I  have  been  obliged  to  disturb  you." 

"  Never  mind,  Charley,"  said  the  count ;  "  sit  down, 
there 's  a  chair  somewhere  near  the  bed,  —  have  you 
found  it  ?  There  !  Well  now,  what  is  it  ?  What  news 
of  Blake  ?  " 

"Very  bad;  no  worse.  But  it  is  not  exactly  that  I  came 
about ;  I  've  got  into  a  scraj^e,  sir." 

"  Eun  off  with  one  of  the  daughters,"  said  Considine. 
"By  jingo,  I  knew  what  those  artful  devils  would  be 
after." 

"  Not  so  bad  as  that,"  said  I,  laughing.  "  It 's  just  a  row, 
a  kind  of  squabble  ;  something  tliat  must  come  —  " 

"  Ay,  ay,"  said  the  count,  brightening  up ;  "  say  you  so, 
Charley  ?  Begad,  the  young  ones  will  beat  us  all  out  of 
the  field.  Who  is  it  with, — not  old  Blake  himself;  how 
was  it  ?    Tell  me  all." 

I  immediately  detailed  the  whole  events  of  the  preceding 
chapter,  as  well  as  his  frequent  interruptions  would  permit, 
and  concluded  by  asking  what  farther  step  was  now  to  be 
taken,  as  I  was  resolved  the  matter  should  be  concluded 
before  it  came  to  my  uncle's  ears. 

"There  you  are  all  right;  quite  correct,  my  boy.  But 
there  are  many  points  I  should  have  wished  otherwise  in 
the  conduct  of  the  affair  hitherto." 

Conceiving  that  he  was  displeased  at  my  petulance  and 
boldness,  I  was  about  to  commence  a  kind  of  defence,  when 
he  added, — 

"  Because,  you  see,"  said  he,  assuming  an  oracular  tone 


THE   FLIGHT  FROM   GURT-NA-MORRA.  49 

of  voice,  "  tlirowing  a  wine-glass,  with  or  without  wine,  in 
a  man's  face  is  merely,  as  you  may  observe,  a  mark  of 
denial  and  displeasiire  at  some  observation  he  may  have 
made,  —  not  in  anywise  intended  to  injure  him,  further  than 
in  the  wound  to  his  honor  at  being  so  insulted,  for  which, 
of  course,  he  must  subsequently  call  you  out.  Whereas, 
Charley,  in  the  present  case,  the  view  I  take  is  different ; 
the  expression  of  Mr.  Bodkin,  as  regards  your  uncle,  was 
insulting  to  a  degree,  —  gratuitously  offensive,  —  and  war- 
ranting a  blow.  Therefore,  my  boy,  you  should,  under  such 
circumstances,  have  preferred  aiming  at  him  with  a  decan- 
ter :  a  cut-glass  decanter,  well  aimed  and  low,  I  have  seen 
do  effective  service.  However,  as  you  remark  it  was  your 
first  thing  of  the  kind,  I  am  pleased  with  you  —  very  much 
pleased  with  you.  Now,  then,  for  the  next  step."  So  say- 
ing, he  arose  from  his  bed,  and  striking  a  light  with  a  tin* 
der-box,  proceeded  to  dress  himself  as  leisurely  as  if  for  a 
dinner  party,  talking  all  the  while. 

"  I  will  just  take  Godfrey's  tax -cart  and  the  roan  mare 
on  to  Meelish,  pvit  them  up  at  the  little  inn,  —  it  is  not 
above  a  mile  from  Bodkin's ;  and  I  '11  go  over  and  settle 
the  thing  for  you.  You  must  stay  quiet  till  I  come  back, 
and  not  leave  the  house  on  any  account.  I  've  got  a  case 
of  old  broad  barrels  there  that  will  answer  you  beautifully ; 
if  you  were  anything  of  a  shot,  I  'd  give  you  my  own  cross 
handles,  but  they  'd  only  spoil  your  shooting." 

"  I  can  hit  a  wine-glass  in  the  stem  at  fifteen  paces," 
said  I,  rather  nettled  at  the  disparaging  tone  in  which  he 
spoke  of  my  performance, 

"  I  don't  care  sixpence  for  that ;  the  wine-glass  had  nr> 
pistol  in  his  hand.  Take  the  old  German,  then ;  see  now, 
hold  your  pistol  thus,  —  no  finger  on  the  guard  there,  these 
two  on  the  trigger.  They  are  not  hair-triggers ;  drop  the 
muzzle  a  bit ;  bend  your  elbow  a  trifle  more  ;  sight  your 
man  outside  your  arm,  —  outside,  mind,  —  and  take  him  in 
the  hip,  and  if  anywhere  higher,  no  matter." 

By  this  time  the  count  had  completed  his  toilet,  and 
taking  the  small  mahogony  box  which  contained  his  peace- 
makers under  his  arm,  led  the  way  towards  the  stables. 
When  we  reached  the  yard,  the  only  person  stirring  there 


50  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

was  a  kind  of  half-witted  boy,  who,  being  about  the  house, 
was  employed  to  run  of  messages  from  the  servants,  walk 
a  stranger's  horse,  or  to  do  any  of  the  many  petty  services 
that  regular  domestics  contrive  always  to  devolve  upon 
some  adopted  subordinate.  He  was  seated  upon  a  stone 
step  formerly  used  for  mounting,  and  though  the  day  was 
scarcely  breaking,  and  the  weather  severe  and  piercing, 
the  poor  fellow  was  singing  an  Irish  song,  in  a  low  mo- 
notonous tone,  as  he  chafed  a  curb  chain  between  his  hands 
with  some  sand.  As  we  came  near  he  started  up,  and  as 
he  pulled  off  his  cap  to  salute  us,  gave  a  sharp  and  piercing 
glance  at  the  count,  then  at  me,  then  once  more  upon  my 
companion,  from  whom  his  eyes  were  turned  to  the  brass- 
bound  box  beneath  his  arm,  —  when,  as  if  seized  with  a 
sudden  impulse,  he  started  on  his  feet,  and  set  off  towards 
the  house  with  the  speed  of  a  greyhound,  not,  however, 
before  Considine's  practised  eye  had  anticipated  his  plan ; 
for  throwing  down  the  pistol-case,  he  dashed  after  him, 
and  in  an  instant  had  seized  him  by  the  collar. 

"  It  won't  do,  Patsey,"  said  the  count ;  "  you  can't  double 
on  me." 

*'  Oh,  Count,  darlin',  Mister  Considine  avick,  don't  do  it, 
don't  now,"  said  the  poor  fellow,  falling  on  his  knees,  and 
blubbering  like  an  infant. 

"  Hold  your  tongue,  j^ou  villain,  or  I  '11  cut  it  out  of  your 
head,"  said  Considine. 

"And  so  I  will;  but  don't  do  it,  don't  for  the  love  of  —  " 

"  Don't  do  what,  you  whimpering  scoundrel  ?  What  does 
he  think  I  '11  do  ?  " 

"  Don't  I  know  very  well  what  you  're  after,  what  you  're 
always  after  too  ?  Oh,  wirra,  wirra  !  "  Here  he  wrung  his 
hands,  and  swayed  himself  backwards  and  forwards,  a  true 
picture  of  Irish  grief. 

"  I  '11  stop  his  blubbering,"  said  Considine,  opening  the 
box  and  taking  out  a  pistol,  which  he  cocked  leisurely, 
and  pointed  at  the  poor  fellow's  head;  "another  syllable 
now,  and  I  '11  scatter  your  brains  upon  that  pavement." 

"  And  do,  and  divil  thank  you ;  sure,  it 's  your  trade." 

The  coolness  of  the  reply  threw  us  both  off  our  guard  so 
completely  that  we  burst  out  into  a  hearty  fit  of  laughing. 


THE   FLIGHT  FROM   GURT-NA-MORRA.  51 

"Come,  come,"  said  the  count,  at  last,  "this  will  never 
do;  if  he  goes  on  this  way,  we'll  have  the  whole  house 
about  us.  Come,  then,  harness  the  roan  mare  ;  and  here  's 
half  a  crown  for  you." 

"I  wouldn't  touch  the  best  piece  in  your  purse,"  said 
the  poor  boy ;  "  sure  it 's  blood-money,  no  less." 

The  words  were  scarcely  spoken,  when  Considine  seized 
him  by  the  collar  with  one  hand,  and  by  the  wrist  with  the 
other,  and  carried  him  over  the  yard  to  the  stable,  where, 
kicking  open  the  door,  he  threw  him  on  a  heap  of  stones, 
adding,  "  If  you  stir  now,  I  '11  break  every  bone  in  your 
body ; "  a  threat  that  seemed  certainly  considerably  in- 
creased in  its  terrors,  from  the  rough  gripe  he  had  already 
experienced,  for  the  lad  rolled  himself  up  like  a  ball,  and 
sobbed  as  if  his  heart  were  breaking. 

Very  feAV  minutes  sufficed  us  now  to  harness  the  mare  in 
the  tax-cart,  and  when  all  was  ready,  Considine  seized  the 
whip,  and  locking  the  stable-door  upon  Patsey,  was  about 
to  get  up,  when  a  sudden  thought  struck  him.  "  Charley," 
said  he,  "that  fellow  will  find  some  means  to  give  the 
alarm  ;  we  must  take  him  with  us."  So  saying,  he  opened 
the  door,  and  taking  the  poor  fellow  by  the  collar,  flung 
him  at  my  feet  in  the  tax-cart. 

We  had  already  lost  some  time,  and  the  roan  mare  was 
put  to  her  fastest  speed  to  make  up  for  it.  Our  pace  be- 
came, accordingly,  a  sharp  one ;  and  as  the  road  was  bad, 
and  the  tax-cart  no  "  patent  inaudible,"  neither  of  us  spoke. 
To  me  this  was  a  great  relief.  The  events  of  the  last  few 
days  had  given  them  the  semblance  of  years,  and  all  the 
reflection  I  could  muster  was  little  enough  to  make  any- 
thing out  of  the  chaotic  mass,  —  love,  mischief,  and  misfor- 
tune, —  in  which  I  had  been  involved  since  my  leaving 
O'Malley  Castle. 

"  Here  we  are,  Charley,"  said  Considine,  drawing  up 
short  at  the  door  of  a  little  country  ale-house,  or,  in  Irish 
parlance,  shebeen,  which  stood  at  the  meeting  of  four  bleak 
roads,  in  a  wild  and  barren  moimtain  tract  beside  the 
Shannon.  "  Here  we  are,  my  boy !  Jump  out  and  let  us  be 
stirring. 

"  Here,  Patsey,  my  man,"  said  the  count,  unravelling  the 


52       ■  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

prostrate  and  doubly  knotted  figure  at  oar  feet;  ''lend  a 
hand,  Patsey."  Much  to  my  astonishment,  he  obeyed  the 
summons  with  alacrity,  and  proceeded  to  unharness  the 
mare  with  tlie  greatest  despatch.  My  attention  was,  liow- 
ever,  soon  turned  from  him  to  my  own  more  immediate 
concerns,  and  I  followed  my  companion  into  the  house. 

"Joe,"  said  the  count  to  the  host,  "is  Mr.  Bodkin  up  at 
the  house  this  morning  ?  " 

"  He 's  just  passed  this  way,  sir,  with  Mr.  Malowney  of 
Tillnamuck,  in  the  gig,  on  their  way  from  Mr.  Blake's. 
They  stopped  here  to  order  horses  to  go  over  to  O'Malley 
Castle,  and  the  gossoon  is  gone  to  look  for  a  pair." 

"All  right,"  said  Considine,  and  added,  in  a  whisper, 
"we  've  done  it  well,  Charley,  to  be  beforehand,  or  the  gov- 
ernor would  have  found  it  all  out  and  taken  the  affair  into 
his  own  hands.  Now  all  you  have  to  do  is  to  stay  quietly 
here  till  I  come  back,  which  will  not  be  above  an  hour  at 
farthest.  Joe,  send  me  the  pony ;  keep  an  eye  on  Patsey, 
that  he  does  n't  play  us  a  trick.  The  short  way  to  Mr. 
Bodkin^s  is  through  Scariff.  Ay,  I  know  it  well ;  good-by, 
Charley.     By  the  Lord,  we  '11  pepper  him  !  " 

These  were  the  last  words  of  the  worthy  count  as  he 
closed  the  door  behind  him,  and  left  me  to  my  own  not 
very  agreeable  reflections.  Independently  of  my  youth  and 
perfect  ignorance  of  the  world,  which  left  me  unable  to 
form  any  correct  judgment  on  my  conduct,  I  knew  that  I 
had  taken  a  great  deal  of  wine,  and  was  highly  excited 
when  my  unhappy  collision  with  Mr.  Bodkin  occurred. 
Whether,  then,  I  had  been  betrayed  into  anything  which 
could  fairly  have  provoked  his  insulting  retort  or  not,  I 
could  not  remember  ;  and  now  my  most  afflicting  thought 
was,  what  opinion  might  be  entertained  of  me  by  those  at 
Blake's  table ;  and  above  all,  what  Miss  Dashwood  herself 
would  think,  and  what  narrative  of  the  occurrence  would 
reach  her.  The  great  effort  of  my  last  few  days  had  been 
to  stand  well  in  her  estimation,  to  appear  something  better 
in  feeling,  something  higher  in  principle,  than  the  rude  and 
unpolished  squirearchy  about  me ;  and  now  here  was  the 
end  of  it !  What  would  she,  what  could  she,  think,  but 
that  I  was  the  same  punch-drinking,  rowing,  quarrelling 


THE  FLIGHT  FROM   GURT-NA-MORRA.  53 

bumpkin  as  those  whom  I  had  so  lately  been  carefully  en- 
deavoring to  separate  myself  from  ?  How  I  hated  myself 
for  the  excess  to  which  passion  had  betrayed  me,  and  how 
I  detested  my  opponent  as  the  cause  of  all  my  present 
misery.  "  How  very  differently,"  thought  I,  ''  her  friend 
the  captain  would  have  conducted  himself.  His  quiet  and 
gentlemanly  manner  wovdd  have  done  fully  as  much  to 
wipe  out  any  insult  on  his  honor  as  I  could  do,  and  after 
all,  would  neither  have  disturbed  the  harmony  of  a  dinner- 
table,  nor  made  himself,  as  I  shuddered  to  think  I  had,  a 
subject  of  rebuke,  if  not  of  ridicule."  These  harassing, 
torturing  reflections  continued  to  press  on  me,  and  I  paced 
the  room  with  my  hands  clasped  and  the  perspiration  upon 
my  brow.  "  One  thing  is  certain,  —  I  can  never  see  her 
again,"  thought  I ;  "  this  disgraceful  business  must,  in 
some  shape  or  other,  become  known  to  her,  and  all  I  have 
been  saying  these  last  three  days  rise  up  in  judgment 
against  this  one  act,  and  stamp  me  an  impostor !  I  that 
decried  —  nay,  derided  —  our  false  notion  of  honor.  Would 
that  Considine  were  come  !  What  can  keep  him  now  ?  " 
I  walked  to  the  door  ;  a  boy  belonging  to  the  house  was 
walking  the  roan  before  the  door.  "  What  had,  then,  become 
of  Pat  ?  "  I  inquired ;  but  no  one  could  tell.  He  had  dis- 
appeared shortly  after  our  arrival,  and  had  not  been  seen 
afterwards.  My  own  thoughts  were,  hoAvever,  too  engross- 
ing to  permit  me  to  think  more  of  this  circumstance,  and 
I  turned  again  to  enter  the  house,  when  I  saw  Considine 
advancing  up  the  road  at  the  full  speed  of  his  pony. 

"Out  with  the  mare,  Charley!  Be  alive,  my  boy! — all's 
settled."  So  saying,  he  sprang  from  the  pony  and  pro- 
ceeded to  harness  the  roan  with  the  greatest  haste,  in- 
forming me  in  broken  sentences,  as  he  went  on  with  all  the 
arrangements. 

"  We  are  to  cross  the  bridge  of  Portumna.  They  won  the 
ground,  and  it  seems  Bodkin  likes  the  spot ;  he  shot  Peyton 
there  three  years  ago.  Worse  luck  now,  Charley,  you 
know ;  by  all  the  rule  of  chance,  he  can't  expect  the  same 
thing  twice,  —  never  four  by  honors  in  two  deals.  Did  n't 
say  that,  though.  A  sweet  meadow,  I  know  it  well ;  small 
hillocks,  like  molehills,  all  over  it.     Caught  him  at  break- 


54  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

fast ;  I  don't  tliink  lie  expected  the  message  to  come  from 
us,  but  said  it  was  a  very  polite  attention,  —  and  so  it  was, 
you  know." 

So  he  continued  to  ramble  on  as  we  once  more  took  our 
seats  in  the  tax-cart  and  set  out  for  the  ground. 

"  What  are  you  thinking  of,  Charley  ?  "  said  the  count, 
as  I  kept  silent  for  some  minutes. 

"  I  'm  thinking,  sir,  if  I.  were  to  kill  him,  what  I  must  do 
after." 

"  Eight,  my  boy ;  nothing  like  that,  but  I  '11  settle  all 
for  you.  Upon  my  conscience,  if  it  was  n't  for  the  chance 
of  his  getting  into  a,nother  quarrel  and  spoiling  the  elec- 
tion, I  'd  go  back  for  Godfrey  ;  he  'd  like  to  see  you  break 
ground  so  prettily.     And  you  say  you  're  no  shot  ?  " 

"Never  could  do  anything  with  the  pistol  to  speak  of, 
sir,"  said  I,  remembering  his  rebuke  of  the  morning. 

"  I  don't  mind  that.  You  've  a  good  eye ;  never  take  it  off 
him  after  you  're  on  the  ground,  —  follow  him  everywhere. 
Poor  Callaghan,  that 's  gone,  shot  his  man  always  that  way. 
He  had  a  way  of  looking  without  winking  that  was  very 
fatal  at  a  short  distance ;  a  very  good  thing  to  learn, 
Charley,  when  you  have  a  little  spare  time." 

Half-an-hour's  sharp  driving  brought  us  to  the  river  side, 
where  a  boat  had  been  provided  by  Considine  to  ferry  us 
over.  It  was  now  about  eight  o'clock,  and  a  heavy,  gloomy 
morning.  Much  rain  had  fallen  overnight,  and  the  dark 
and  lowering  atmosphere  seemed  charged  with  more.  The 
mountains  looked  twice  their  real  size,  and  all  the  shadows 
were  increased  to  an  enormous  extent.  A  very  killing  kind 
of  light  it  was,  as  the  count  remarked. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    DUEL. 

As  the  boatmen  pulled  in  towards  the  shore  we  per- 
ceived, a  few  hundred  yards  off,  a  group  of  persons  standing, 
whom  we  soon  recognized  as  our  opponents.  ''  Charley,"  said 
the  count,  grasping  my  arm  tightly,  as  I  stood  up  to  spring 
on  the  land,  —  "  Charley,  although  you  are  only  a  boy,  as  I 
may  say,  I  have  no  fear  for  your  courage ;  but  still  more 
than  that  is  needful  here.  This  Bodkin  is  a  noted  duellist, 
and  will  try  to  shake  your  nerve.  Now,  mind  that  you  take 
everything  that  happens  quite  with  an  air  of  indifference  ; 
don't  let  him  think  that  he  has  any  advantage  over  you, 
and  you  ^11  see  how  the  tables  will  be  turned  in  your 
favor." 

"Trust  to  me.  Count"  said  I ;  "I'll  not  disgrace  you." 

He  pressed  my  hand  tightly,  and  I  thought  that  I  dis- 
cerned something  like  a  slight  twitch  about  the  corners  of 
his  grim  mouth,  as  if  some  sudden  and  painful  thought  had 
shot  across  his  mind ;  but  in  a  moment  he  was  calm,  and 
stern-looking  as  ever. 

"  Twenty  minutes  late,  Mr.  Considine,"  said  a  short,  red- 
faced  little  man,  with  a  military  frock  and  foraging  cap,  as 
he  held  out  his  watch  in  evidence. 

"I  can  only  say,  Captain  Malowney,  that  we  lost  no 
time  since  we  parted.  We  had  some  difficulty  in  finding 
a  boat ;  but  in  any  case,  we  are  here  now,  and  that,  I  opine, 
is  the  important  part  of  the  matter." 

"Quite  right,  — very  just  indeed.  Will  you  present  me 
to  your  young  friend.  Very  proud  to  make  your  acquain- 
tance, sir;  your  uncle  and  I  met  more  than  once  in  this 
kind  of  way.  I  was  out  with  him  in  '92,  —  was  it  ?  no,  I 
think  it  was  '93,  —  when  he  shot  Harry  Burgoyne,  who, 
by-the-bye,  was  called  the  crack  shot  of  our  mess ;  but, 
begad,   your   uncle   knocked   his   pistol    hand   to   shivers, 


56  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

saying,  in  his  dry  way,  'He  must  try  the  left  hand  this 
morning.'     Count,  a  little  this  side,  if  you  please." 

While  Considine  and  the  captain  walked  a  few  paces 
apart  from  where  I  stood,  I  had  leisure  to  observe  my 
antagonist,  who  stood  among  a  group  of  his  friends,  talk- 
ing and  laughing  away  in  great  spirits.  As  the  tone  they 
spoke  in  was  not  of  the  lowest,  I  could  catch  much  of  their 
conversation  at  the  distance  I  was  from  them.  They  were 
discussing  the  last  occasion  that  Bodkin  had  visited  this 
spot,  and  talking  of  the  fatal  event  Avhich  happened  then. 

"  Poor  devil,"  said  Bodkin,  "  it  was  n't  his  fault ;  but 
you  see  some  of  the  — th  had  been  showing  white  feathers 
before  that,  and  he  was  obliged  to  go  out.  In  fact,  the 
colonel  himself  said,  '  Fight,  or  leave  the  corps.'  Well,  out 
he  came  ;  it  was  a  cold  morning  in  February,  with  a  frost 
the  night  before  going  off  in  a  thin  rain.  Well,  it  seems  he 
had  the  consumption  or  something  of  that  sort,  with  a 
great  cough  and  spitting  of  blood,  and  this  weather  made 
him  worse;  and  he  was  very  weak  when  he  came  to  the 
ground.  Now,  the  moment  I  got  a  glimpse  of  him,  I  said 
to  myself,  '  He  's  pluck  enough,  but  as  nervous  as  a  lady ; ' 
for  his  eye  wandered  all  about,  and  his  mouth  was  con- 
stantly twitching.  '  Take  off  your  great-coat,  Ned,'  said 
one  of  his  people,  when  they  were  going  to  put  him  up  ; 
*  take  it  off,  man.'  He  seemed  to  hesitate  for  an  instant, 
when  Michael  Blake  remarked,  '  Arrah,  let  him  alone ; 
it 's  his  mother  makes  him  wear  it,  for  the  cold  he  has.' 
They  all  began  to  laugh  at  this ;  but  I  kept  my  eye  upon 
him,  and  I  saw  that  his  cheek  grew  quite  livid  and  a 
kind  of  gray  color,  and  his  eyes  iilled  up.  'I  have  you 
now,'  said  I  to  myself,  and  I  shot  him  through  the  lung." 

"  And  this  poor  felloAv,"  thouglit  I,  "  was  the  only  son  of 
a  widowed  mother."  I  walked  from  the  spot  to  avoid  hear- 
ing further,  and  felt,  as  I  did  so,  something  like  a  spirit  of 
vengeance  rising  within  me,  for  the  fate  of  one  so  untimely 
cut  off. 

"  Here  we  are,  all  ready,"  said  Malowney,  springing  over 
a  small  fence  into  the  adjoining  iield.  "  Take  your  ground, 
gentlemen." 

Considine  took  my  arm  and  walked  forward.    "  Charley," 


THE  DUEL.  57 

said  he,  "  I  am  to  give  the  signal ;  I  '11  drop  my  glove  Avhen 
you  are  to  fire,  but  don't  look  at  me  at  all.  I  '11  manage  to 
catch  Bodkin's  eye ;  and  do  you  watch  him  steadily,  and  fire 
when  he  does." 

"  I  think  that  the  ground  we  are  leaving  behind  us  is 
rather  better,"  said  some  one. 

"  So  it  is,"  said  Bodkin  ;  "  but  it  jnight  be  troublesome  to 
carry  the  young  gentleman  down  that  way,  —  here  all  is  fair 
and  easy." 

The  next  instant  we  were  placed ;  and  I  well  remember 
the  first  thought  that  struck  me  was,  that  there  could  be 
no  chance  of  either  of  ns  escaping. 

"  jSTow  then,"  said  the  count,  "  I  '11  walk  twelve  paces,  turn 
and  drop  this  glove  ;  at  which  signal  you  fire,  and  together 
mind.  The  man  who  reserves  his  shot  falls  by  my  hand." 
This  very  summary  denunciation  seemed  to  meet  general 
approbation,  and  the  count  strutted  forth.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  advice  of  my  friend,  I  could  not  help  turning  my 
eyes  from  Bodkin  to  watch  the  retiring  figure  of  the  count. 
At  length  he  stopped ;  a  second  or  two  elapsed ;  he 
wheeled  rapidly  round,  and  let  fall  the  glove.  My  eye 
glanced  towards  my  opponent ;  I  raised  my  pistol  and  fired. 
My  hat  turned  half  round  upon  my  head,  and  Bodkin  fell 
motionless  to  the  earth.  I  saw  the  people  around  me  rush 
forward  ;  I  caught  two  or  three  glances  thrown  at  me  with 
an  expression  of  revengeful  passion ;  I  felt  some  one  grasp 
me  round  the  waist,  and  hurry  me  from  the  spot ;  and  it  was 
at  least  ten  minutes  after,  as  we  were  skimming  the  sur- 
face of  the  broad  Shamion,  before  I  could  well  collect  my 
scattered  faculties  to  remember  all  that  was  passing,  as 
Considine,  pointing  to  the  two  bullet-holes  in  my  hat,  re- 
marked, "  Sharp  practice,  Charley ;  it  was  the  overcharge 
saved  you." 

"  Is  he  killed,  sir  ?  "  I  asked. 

"  Not  quite,  I  believe,  but  as  good.  You  took  him  just 
above  the  hip." 

"  Can  he  recover  ?  "  said  I,  with  a  voice  tremulous  from 
agitation,  which  I  vainly  endeavored  to  conceal  from  my 
companion. 

"  Not  if  the  doctor  can  help  it,"  said  Considine  ;  "  for 


58  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

the  fool  keeps  poking  about  for  the  ball.  But  now  let 's 
think  of  the  next  step,  —  you  '11  have  to  leave  this,  and  at 
once,  too." 

Little  more  passed  between  us.  As  we  rowed  towards 
the  shore,  Considine  was  following  up  his  reflections,  and 
I  had  mine,  —  alas  !  too  many  and  too  bitter  to  escape 
from. 

As  we  neared  the  land  a  strange  spectacle  caught  our 
eye.  For  a  considerable  distance  along  the  coast  crowds 
of  country  people  were  assembled,  who,  forming  in  groups 
and  breaking  into  parties  of  two  and  three,  were  evidently 
watching  with  great  anxiety  what  was  taking  place  at  the 
opposite  side.  Now,  the  distance  was  at  least  a  mile,  and 
therefore  any  part  of  the  transaction  which  had  been  enact- 
ing there  must  have  been  quite  beyond  their  view.  While 
I  was  wondering  at  this,  Considine  cried  out  suddenly,  "Too 
infamous,  by  Jove  !    We  're  murdered  men !  " 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Don't  you  see  that  ?  "  said  he,  pointing  to  something 
black  which  floated  from  a  pole  at  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river. 

"  Yes  ;  what  is  it  ?  " 

"  It 's  his  coat  they  've  put  upon  an  oar  to  show  the  peo- 
ple he 's  killed,  — that 's  all.  Every  man  here  's  his  tenant ; 
and  look  —  there  !  They  're  not  giving  us  much  doubt  as 
to  their  intention." 

Here  a  tremendous  yell  burst  forth  from  the  mass  of 
people  along  the  shore,  which  rising  to  a  terrific  cry  sunk 
gradually  down  to  a  low  wailing,  then  rose  and  fell  again 
several  times  as  the  Irish  death-cry  filled  the  air  and  rose 
to  Heaven,  as  if  imploring  vengeance  on  a  murderer. 

The  appalling  influence  of  the  keen,  as  it  is  called,  had 
been  familiar  to  me  from  my  infancy;  but  it  needed  the 
awful  situation  I  was  placed  in  to  consummate  its  horrors. 
It  was  at  once  my  accusation  and  my  doom.  I  knew  well 
—  none  better  —  the  vengeful  character  of  the  Irish  peas- 
ant of  the  west,  and  that  my  death  was  certain  I  had  no 
doubt.  The  very  crime  that  sat  upon  my  heart  quailed  its 
courage  and  unnerved  my  arm.  As  the  boatmen  looked 
from  us  towards  the  shore  and  again  at  our  faces,  they, 


THE  DUEL.  59 

as  if  instinctively,  lay  upon  their  oars,  and  waited  for  our 
decision  as  to  what  course  to  pursue. 

"  Eig  the  spritsail,  my  boys,"  said  Considine,  "  and  let 
her  head  lie  up  the  river ;  and  be  alive,  for  I  see  they  're 
bailing  a  boat  below  the  little  reef  there,  and  will  be  after 
us  in  no  time." 

The  poor  fellows,  who,  although  strangers  to  us,  sympa- 
thizing in  what  they  perceived  to  be  our  imminent  danger, 
stepped  the  light  spar  which  acted  as  mast,  and  shook  out 
their  scanty  rag  of  canvas  in  a  minute.  Considine  mean- 
while went  aft,  and  steadying  her  head  with  an  oar,  held 
the  small  craft  up  to  the  wind  till  she  lay  completely  over, 
and  as  she  rushed  through  the  water,  ran  dipping  her  gun- 
wale through  the  white  foam. 

"  Where  can  we  make  without  tacking,  boys  ?  "  inquired 
the  count. 

"  If  it  blows  on  as  fresh,  sir,  we  '11  run  you  ashore  within 
half  a  mile  of  the  Castle." 

"  Put  an  oar  to  leeward,"  said  Considine,  "  and  keep  her 
up  more  to  the  wind,  and  I  promise  you,  my  lads,  you 
will  not  go  home  fresh  and  fasting  if  you  land  us  where 
you  say." 

"  Here  they  come,"  said  the  other  boatman,  as  he  pointed 
back  with  his  finger  towards  a  large  yawl  which  shot  sud- 
denly from  the  shore,  with  six  sturdy  fellows  pulling  at  their 
oars,  while  three  or  four  others  were  endeavoring  to  get  up 
their  rigging,  which  appeared  tangled  and  confused  at  the 
bottom  of  the  boat ;  the  white  splash  of  water  which  fell 
each  moment  beside  her  showing  that  the  process  of  bail- 
ing was  still  continued. 

"  Ah,  then,  may  I  never  —  av  it  is  n't  the  ould  'Dolphin' 
they  have  launched  for  the  cruise,"  said  one  of  our  fellows. 

"  What 's  the  '  Dolphin,'  then  ?  " 

"  An  ould  boat  of  the  Lord's  [Lord  Clanricarde's]  that 
did  n't  see  water,  except  when  it  rained,  these  four  years, 
and  is  sun-cracked  from  stem  to  stern." 

"  She  can  sail,  however,"  said  Considine,  who  watched 
with  a  painful  anxiety  the  rapidity  of  her  course  through 
the  water. 

"Nabocklish,  she  was  a  smuggler's  jolly-boat,  and  well 


60  CmVRLES  O'MALLEY. 

used  to  it.  Look  how  tliey  're  pulling,  God  pardon  them, 
but  they  're  in  no  blessed  humor  this  morning." 

"  Lay  out  upon  your  oars,  boys  ;  the  wind  's  failing  us," 
cried  the  count,  as  the  sail  flapped  lazily  against  the  mast. 

"  It 's  no  use,  yer  honor,"  said  the  elder.  "  We  '11  be 
only  breaking  our  hearts  to  no  purj^ose.  They're  sure  to 
catch  us." 

"  Do  as  I  bade  you,  at  all  events.  What 's  that  ahead  of 
us  there  ?  " 

"  The  Oat  Eock,  sir.  A  vessel  with  grain  struck  there  and 
went  down  with  all  aboard,  four  years  last  Avinter.  There  's 
no  channel  between  it  and  the  shore,  —  all  sunk  rocks,  every 
inch  of  it.    There 's  the  breeze." 

The  canvas  fell  over  as  he  spoke,  and  the  little  craft  lay 
down  to  it  till  the  foaming  water  bubbled  over  her  lee  bow. 

"  Keep  her  head  up,  sir  ;  higher  —  higher  still." 

But  Considine  little  heeded  the  direction,  steering  straight 
for  the  narrow  channel  the  man  alluded  to. 

"  Tear  and  ages,  but  you  're  going  right  for  the  cloch  na 
quirka ! " 

"  Arrah,  an'  the  devil  a  taste  I  '11  be  drowned  for  your 
devarsion ! "  said  the  other,  springing  up. 

"  Sit  down  there,  and  be  still,"  roared  Considine,  as  he 
drew  a  pistol  from  the  case  at  his  feet,  "  if  you  don't  want 
some  leaden  ballast  to  keep  you  so  !  Here,  Charley,  take 
this,  and  if  that  fellow  stirs  hand  or  foot  —  you  under- 
stand me." 

The  two  men  sat  sulkily  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  which 
now  was  actually  flying  through  the  water.  Considine's 
object  was  a  clear  one.  He  saw  that  in  sailing  we  were 
greatly  overmatched,  and  that  our  only  chance  lay  in  reach- 
ing the  narrow  and  dangerous  channel  between  Oat  Rock 
and  the  shore,  by  which  we  should  distance  the  pursuit,  the 
long  reef  of  rocks  that  ran  out  beyond  requiring  a  wide 
berth  to  escape  from.  Nothing  but  the  danger  behind  us 
could  warrant  so  rash  a  daring.  The  whole  channel  was 
dotted  with  patches  of  white  and  breaking  foam,  —  the  sure 
evidence  of  the  mischief  beneath, — while  here  and  there  a 
dash  of  spurting  spray  flew  up  from  the  dark  water,  where 
some  cleft  rock  lay  hid  below  the  flood.    Escape  seemed  im- 


THE   DUEL.  61 

possible ;  but  who  would  not  have  preferred  even  so  slender 
a  chance  with  so  frightful  an  alternative  behind  him  ?  As 
if  to  add  terror  to  the  scene,  Considine  had  scarcely  turned 
the  boat  ahead  of  the  channel  when  a  tremendous  black- 
ness spread  over  all  around,  the  thunder  pealed  forth,  and 
amidst  the  crashing  of  the  hail  and  the  bright  glare  of  light- 
ning a  squall  struck  us  and  laid  us  nearly  keel  uppermost 
for  several  minutes.  I  well  remember  we  ruslied  through 
the  dark  and  blackened  water,  our  little  craft  more  than 
half  filled,  the  oars  floating  off  to  leeward,  and  we  ourselves 
kneeling  on  the  bottom  planks  for  safety.  Koll  after  roll 
of  loud  thunder  broke,  as  it  were,  just  above  our  heads  ; 
while  in  the  swift  dashing  rain  that  seemed  to  hiss  around 
us  every  object  was  hidden,  and  even  the  other  boat  was 
lost  to  our  view.  The  two  poor  fellows  —  I  shall  never 
forget  their  expression.  One,  a  devout  Catholic,  had  placed 
a  little  leaden  image  of  a  saint  before  him  in  the  bow,  and 
implored  its  intercession  with  a  torturing  agony  of  suspense 
that  wrung  my  very  heart.  The  other,  apparently  less  alive 
to  such  consolations  as  his  Church  afforded,  remained  with 
his  hands  clasped,  his  mouth  compressed,  his  brows  knitted, 
and  his  dark  eyes  bent  upon  me  with  the  fierce  hatred  of  a 
deadly  enemy ;  his  eyes  were  sunken  and  bloodshot,  and  all 
told  of  some  dreadful  conflict  within.  The  wild  ferocity  of 
his  look  fascinated  my  gaze,  and  amidst  all  the  terrors  of  the 
scene  I  could  not  look  from  him.  As  I  gazed,  a  second  and 
more  awful  squall  struck  the  boat ;  the  mast  went  over,  and 
with  a  loud  report  like  a  pistol-shot  smashed  at  the  thwart 
and  fell  over,  trailing  the  sail  along  the  milky  sea  behind 
us.  Meanwhile  the  water  rushed  clean  over  us,  and  the 
boat  seemed  settling.  At  this  dreadful  moment  the  sailor's 
eye  was  bent  upon  me,  his  lips  parted,  and  he  muttered,  as 
if  to  himself,  "This  it  is  to  go  to  sea  with  a  murderer." 
Oh,  God  !  the  agony  of  that  moment !  the  heartfelt  and 
accusing  conscience  that  I  was  judged  and  doomed  !  that 
the  brand  of  Cain  was  upon  my  brow  !  that  my  fellow-men 
Lad  ceased  forever  to  regard  me  as  a  brother  !  that  I  was 
an  outcast  and  a  wanderer  forever  !  I  bent  forward  till 
my  forehead  fell  upon  my  knees,  and  I  wept.  Meanwhile 
the  boat  flew  through  the  water,  and  Considine,  who  alone 


62  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

among  us  seemed  not  to  lose  his  presence  of  mind,  cut  away 
the  mast  and  sent  it  overboard.  The  storm  began  now  to 
abate ;  and  as  the  black  mass  of  cloud  broke  from  around 
us  we  beheld  the  other  boat,  also  dismasted,  far  behind  us, 
while  all  on  board  of  her  were  employed  in  bailing  out  the 
water  with  which  she  seemed  almost  sinking.  The  curtain 
of  mist  that  had  hidden  us  from  each  other  no  sooner  broke 
than  they  ceased  their  labors  for  a  moment,  and  looking 
towards  us,  burst  forth  into  a  yell  so  wild,  so  savage,  so 
dreadful,  my  very  heart  quailed  as  its  cadence  fell  upon 
my  ear. 

"  Safe,  my  boy,"  said  Considine,  clapping  me  on  the 
shoulder,  as  he  steered  the  boat  forth  from  its  narrow  path 
of  danger,  and  once  more  reached  the  broad  Shannon,  — 
"  safe,  Charley ;  though  we  've  had  a  brush  for  it."  In  a 
minvite  more  we  reached  the  land,  and  drawing  our  gallant 
little  craft  on  shore,  set  out  for  O'Malley  Castle. 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

THE    RETURN. 

O'Malley  Castle  lay  about  four  miles  from  the  spot  we 
landed  at,  and  thither  accordingly  we  bent  our  steps  with- 
out loss  of  time.  We  had  not,  however,  proceeded  far, 
when,  before  us  on  the  road,  we  perceived  a  mixed  assem- 
blage of  horse  and  foot,  hurrying  along  at  a  tremendous 
rate.  The  mob,  which  consisted  of  some  hundred  country 
people,  were  armed  with  sticks,  scythes,  and  pitchforks, 
and  although  not  preserving  any  very  military  aspect  in 
their  order  of  march,  were  still  a  force  quite  formidable 
enough  to  make  us  call  a  halt,  and  deliberate  upon  what  we 
were  to  do. 

"  They  've  outflanked  us,  Charley,"  said  Considine  ;  "  how- 
ever, all  is  not  yet  lost.  But  see,  they  've  got  sight  of  us  ; 
here  they  come." 

At  these  words,  the  vast  mass  before  us  came  pouring 
along,  splashing  the  mud  on  every  side,  and  huzzaing  like  so 
many  Indians.  In  the  front  ran  a  bare-legged  boy,  waving 
his  cap  to  encourage  the  rest,  who  followed  him  at  about 
fifty  yards  behind. 

"  Leave  that  fellow  for  me,"  said  the  count,  coolly  ex- 
amining the  lock  of  his  pistol ;  "  I  '11  pick  him  out,  and 
load  again  in  time  for  his  friends'  arrival.  Charley,  is  that 
a  gentleman  I  see  far  back  in  the  crowd  ?  Yes,  to  be  sure  it 
is  ?  He  's  on  a  large  horse  —  now  he  's  pressing  forward  ; 
so  let  —  no  —  oh  —  ay,  it 's  Godfrey  O'Malley  himself,  and 
these  are  our  own  people."  Scarcely  were  the  words  out 
when  a  tremendous  cheer  arose  from  the  multitude,  who, 
recognizing  us  at  the  same  instant,  sprang  from  their  horses 
and  ran  forward  to  welcome  us.  Among  the  foremost  was 
the  scarecrow  leader,  whom  I  at  once  perceived  as  poor 
Patsey,  who,  escaping  in  the  morning,  had  returned  at  full 
speed  to  O'Malley  Castle,  and  raised  the  whole  country  to 


64  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

my  rescue.  Before  I  could  address  one  word  to  my  faith- 
ful followers  I  was  in  my  uncle's  arms. 

"  Safe,  my  boy,  quite  safe  ?  " 

"Quite  safe,  sir." 

"No  scratch  anywhere  ?  " 

"  Nothing  but  a  hat  the  worse,  sir,"  said  I,  showing  the 
two  bullet-holes  in  my  headpiece. 

His  lip  quivered  as  he  turned  and  whispered  something 
into  Considine's  ear,  which  I  heard  not ;  but  the  count's  re- 
ply was,  "  Devil  a  bit,  as  cool  as  you  see  him  this  minute." 

"  And  Bodkin,  what  of  him  ?  " 

"  This  day's  work 's  his  last,"  said  Considine ;  "  the  ball 
entered  here.  But  come  along,  Godfrey  ;  Charley 's  new  at 
this  kind  of  thing,  and  we  had  better  discuss  matters  in 
the  house." 

Half-an-hour's  brisk  trot  —  for  we  were  soon  supplied 
with  horses  —  brought  us  back  to  the  Castle,  much  to  the 
disappointment  of  our  cortege,  who  had  been  promised  a 
scrimmage,  and  went  back  in  very  ill-humor  at  the  breach 
of  contract. 

The  breakfast-room,  as  we  entered,  was  filled  with  my 
uncle's  supporters,  all  busily  engaged  over  poll-books  and 
booth  tallies,  in  preparation  for  the  eventful  day  of  battle. 
These,  however,  were  immediately  thrown  aside  to  hasten 
round  me  and  inquire  all  the  details  of  my  duel.  Considine, 
happily  for  me,  however,  assumed  all  the  dignity  of  an 
historian,  and  recounted  the  events  of  the  morning  so  much 
to  my  honor  and  glory,  that  I,  who  only  a  little  before  felt 
crushed  and  bowed  down  by  the  misery  of  my  late  duel, 
began,  amidst  the  warm  congratulations  and  eulogiums 
about  me,  to  think  I  was  no  small  hero,  and  in  fact,  some- 
thing very  much  resembling  "the  man  for  Gal  way."  To  this 
feeling  a  circumstance  that  followed  assisted  in  contribut- 
ing. While  we  were  eagerly  discussing  the  various  results 
likely  to  arise  from  the  meeting,  a  horse  galloped  rapidly 
to  the  door  and  a  loud  voice  called  out,  "  I  can't  get  off,  but 
tell  him  to  come  here."  We  rushed  out  and  beheld  Captain 
Malowney,  Mr.  Bodkin's  second,  covered  with  mud  from 
head  to  foot,  and  his  horse  reeking  with  foam  and  sweat. 
"  I  am  hurrying  on  to  Athlone  for  another  doctor  ;  but  I  've 


THE   RETUEN.  65 

called  to  tell  you  that  the  wound  is  not  supposed  to  be  mor- 
tal,—  he  may  recover  yet."  Without  waiting  for  another 
word,  he  dashed  spurs  into  his  nag  and  rattled  down  the 
avenue  at  full  gallop.  Mr.  Bodkin's  dearest  friend  on  earth 
could  not  have  received  the  intelligence  with  more  delight ; 
and  I  now  began  to  listen  to  the  congratulations  of  my 
friends  with  a  more  tranquil  spirit.  My  uncle,  too,  seemed 
much  relieved  by  the  information,  and  heard  with  great 
good  temper  my  narrative  of  the  few  days  at  Gurt-na-Morra. 
"  So  then,"  said  he,  as  I  concluded,  "my  opponent  is  at  least 
a  gentleman  ;  that  is  a  comfort." 

"  Sir  George  Dashwood,"  said  I,  "  from  all  I  have  seen, 
is  a  remarkably  nice  person,  and  I  am  certain  you  will  meet 
with  only  the  fair  and  legitimate  opposition  of  an  opposing 
candidate  in  him,  —  no  mean  or  unmanly  subterfuge." 

"  All  right,  Charley.  Well,  now,  your  affair  of  this  morn- 
ing must  keep  you  quiet  for  a  few  days,  come  what  will ; 
by  Monday  next,  when  the  election  takes  place,  Bodkin's 
fate  will  be  pretty  clear,  one  way  or  the  other,  and  if  mat- 
ters go  well,  you  can  come  into  town  ;  otherwise,  I  have 
arranged  with  Considine  to  take  you  over  to  the  Continent 
for  a  year  or  so ;  but  we  '11  discuss  all  this  in  the  evening. 
Now  I  must  start  on  a  canvass.  Boyle  expects  to  meet 
you  at  dinner  to-day  ;  he  is  coming  from  Athlone  on  pur- 
pose.    Now,  good-by  ! " 

When  my  uncle  had  gone,  I  sank  into  a  chair  and  fell 
into  a  musing  fit  over  all  the  changes  a  few  hours  had 
wrought  in  me.  From  a  mere  boy  whose  most  serious 
employment  was  stocking  the  house  with  game  or  inspect- 
ing the  kennel,  I  had  sprung  at  once  into  man's  estate,  was 
complimented  for  my  coolness,  praised  for  ray  prowess, 
lauded  for  my  discretion,  by  those  who  were  my  seniors 
by  nearly  half  a  century  ;  talked  to  in  a  tone  of  confidential 
intimacy  by  my  uncle,  and,  in  a  word,  treated  in  all  respects 
as  an  equal,  —  and  such  was  all  the  work  of  a  few  hours. 
But  so  it  is  ;  the  eras  in  life  are  separated  by  a  narrow 
boundary,  —  some  trifling  accident,  some  casual  rencontre 
impels  us  across  the  Rubicon,  and  we  pass  from  infancy 
to  youth,  from  youth  to  manhood,  from  manhood  to  age, 
less  by  the  slow  and  imperceptible  step  of  time  than  by 

VOL.  I,  —  5 


66  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

some  one  decisive  act  or  passion  which,  occurring  at  a 
critical  moment,  elicits  a  long  latent  feeling,  and  impresses 
our  existence  with  a  color  that  tinges  us  for  many  a  long 
year.  As  for  me,  I  had  cut  the  tie  which  bound  me  to  the 
careless  gayety  of  boyhood  with  a  rude  gash.  In  three 
short  days  I  had  fallen  deeply,  desperately  in  love,  and  had 
wounded,  if  not  killed,  an  antagonist  in  a  duel.  As  I  medi- 
tated on  these  things,  I  was  aroused  by  the  noise  of  horses' 
feet  in  the  yard  beneath.  I  opened  the  window  and  beheld 
no  less  a  person  than  Captain  Hammersley.  He  was  hand- 
ing a  card  to  a  servant,  which  he  was  accompanying  by  a 
verbal  message  ;  the  impression  of  something  like  hostility 
on  the  part  of  the  captain  had  never  left  my  mind,  and  1 
hastened  down-stairs  just  in  time  to  catch  him  as  he  turned 
from  the  door. 

"  Ah,  Mr.  O'Malley  ! "  said  he,  in  a  most  courteous  tone. 
"  They  told  me  you  were  not  at  home." 

I  apologized  for  the  blunder,  and  begged  of  him  to  alight 
and  come  in. 

"  I  thank  you  very  much,  but,  in  fact,  my  hours  are  now 
numbered  here.  I  have  just  received  an  order  to  join  my 
regiment ;  we  have  been  ordered  for  service,  and  Sir  George 
has  most  kindly  permitted  my  giving  up  my  staff  appoint- 
ment. I  could  not,  however,  leave  the  country  without 
shaking  hands  with  you.  I  owe  you  a  lesson  in  horseman- 
ship, and  I  'm  only  sorry  that  we  are  not  to  have  another 
day  together." 

"  Then  you  are  going  out  to  the  Peninsula  ?  "  said  I. 

"Why,  we  hope  so  ;  the  commander-in-chief,  they  say,  is 
in  great  want  of  cavalry,  and  we  scarcely  less  in  want  of 
something  to  do.  I  'm  sorry  you  are  not  coming  with 
us." 

"  Would  to  Heaven  I  were  ! "  said  I,  with  an  earnestness 
that  almost  made  my  brain  start. 

«  Then,  why  not  ?  " 

''Unfortunately,  I  am  peculiarly  situated.  My  worthy 
uncle,  who  is  all  to  me  in  this  world,  would  be  quite  alone 
if  I  were  to  leave  him ;  and  although  he  has  never  said  so, 
I  know  he  dreads  the  possibility  of  my  suggesting  such  a 
thing  to  him  :  so  that,  between  his  fears  and  mine,  the  mat- 


THE   RETURN.  67 

ter  is  never  broached  by  either  party,  nor  do  I  think  ever 
can  be." 

"  Devilish  liard  —  but  I  believe  you  are  right ;  something, 
however,  may  turn  up  yet  to  alter  his  mind,  and  if  so,  and 
if  you  do  take  to  dragooning,  don't  forget  George  Hammers- 
ley  will  be  always  most  delighted  to  meet  you ;  and  so 
good-by,  O'Malley,  good-by." 

He  turned  his  horse's  head  and  was  already  some  paces 
off,  when  he  returned  to  my  side,  and  in  a  lower  tone  of 
voice  said,  — 

"I  ought  to  mention  to  you  that  there  has  been  much 
discussion  on  your  affair  at  Blake's  table,  and  only  one 
opinion  on  the  matter  among  all  parties,  —  that  you  acted 
perfectly  right.  Sir  George  Dashwood,  —  no  mean  judge  of 
such  things,  —  quite  approves  of  your  conduct,  and,  I  believe, 
wishes  you  to  know  as  much ;  and  now,  once  more,  good-by." 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE    ELECTION. 

The  important  morning  at  length  arrived,  and  as  I  looked 
from  my  bed-room  window  at  daybreak,  the  crowd  of  car- 
riages of  all  sorts  and  shapes  decorated  with  banners  and 
placards  ;  the  incessant  bustle ;  the  hurrying  hither  and 
thither ;  the  cheering  as  each  new  detachment  of  voters 
came  up,  mounted  on  jaunting-cars,  or  on  horses  whose 
whole  caparison  consisted  in  a  straw  rope  for  a  bridle, 
and  a  saddle  of  the  same  frail  material,  —  all  informed  me 
that  the  election  day  was  come.  I  lost  no  further  time,  but 
proceeded  to  dress  with  all  possible  despatch.  When  I 
appeared  in  the  breakfast-room,  it  was  already  filled  with 
some  seventy  or  eighty  persons  of  all  ranks  and  ages, 
mingled  confusedly  together,  and  enjoying  the  hospitable 
fare  of  my  uncle's  house,  while  they  discussed  all  the  de- 
tails and  prospects  of  the  election.  In  the  hall,  the  li- 
brary, the  large  drawing-room,  too,  similar  parties  were  also 
assembled,  and  as  newcomers  arrived,  the  servants  were 
busy  in  preparing  tables  before  the  door  and  up  the  large 
terrace  that  ran  the  entire  length  of  the  building.  Nothing 
could  be  more  amusing  than  the  incongruous  mixture  of 
the  guests,  who,  with  every  variety  of  eatable  that  chance 
or  inclination  provided,  were  thus  thrown  into  close  con- 
tact, having  only  this  in  common,  —  the  success  of  the  cause 
they  were  engaged  in.  Here  was  the  old  Gal  way  squire, 
with  an  ancestry  that  reached  to  Noah,  sitting  side  by 
side  with  the  poor  cotter,  whose  whole  earthly  possession 
was  what,  in  Irish  phrase,  is  called  a  "  potato  garden,"  — 
meaning  the  exactly  smallest  possible  patch  of  ground  out 
of  which  a  very  Indian-rubber  conscience  could  presume  to 
vote.  Here  sat  the  old  simple-minded,  farmer-like  man,  in 
close  conversation  with  a  little  white-foreheaded,  keen-eyed 
personage,  in  a  black  coat  and  eye-glass, — a  flash  attorney 


THE  ELECTION,  69 

from  Dublin,  learned  in  flaws  of  the  registry,  and  deep  in 
the  subtleties  of  election  law.  There  was  an  Athlone  horse- 
dealer,  whose  habitual  daily  practices  in  imposing  the  halt, 
the  lame,  and  the  blind  upon  the  unsuspecting,  for  beasts 
of  blood  and  mettle,  well  qualified  him  for  the  trickery  of 
a  county  contest.  Then  there  were  scores  of  squireen  gen- 
try, easily  recognized  on  common  occasions  by  a  green  coat, 
brass  buttons,  dirty  cords,  and  dirtier  top-boots,  a  lash- 
whip,  and  a  half-bred  fox-hound ;  but  now,  fresh-washed 
for  the  day,  they  presented  something  the  appearance  of  a 
swell  mob,  adjusted  to  the  meridian  of  Galway.  A  mass  of 
frieze-coated,  brow-faced,  bullet-headed  peasantry  filled  up 
the  large  spaces,  dotted  here  and  there  with  a  sleek,  roguish- 
eyed  priest,  or  some  low  electioneering  agent  detailing, 
for  the  amusement  of  the  company,  some  of  those  cunning 
practices  of  former  times  which  if  known  to  the  proper 
authorities  would  in  all  likelihood  cause  the  talented  nar- 
rator to  be  improving  the  soil  of  Sidney,  or  fishing  on  the 
banks  of  the  Swan  river;  while  at  the  head  and  foot  of 
each  table  sat  some  personal  friend  of  my  uncle,  whose 
ready  tongue,  and  still  readier  pistol,  made  him  a  personage 
of  some  consequence,  not  more  to  his  own  people  than  to 
the  enemy.  While  of  such  material  were  the  company,  the 
fare  before  them  was  no  less  varied :  here  some  rubicund 
squire  was  deep  in  amalgamating  the  contents  of  a  venison 
pasty  with  some  of  Sneyd's  oldest  claret  5  his  neighbor,  less 
ambitious,  and  less  erudite  in  such  matters,  was  devouring 
rashers  of  bacon,  with  liberal  potations  of  potteen ;  some 
pale-cheeked  scion  of  the  law,  with  all  the  dust  of  the  Four 
Courts  in  his  throat,  was  sipping  his  humble  beverage  of 
black  tea  beside  four  sturdy  cattle-dealers  from  Ballinasloe, 
who  were  discussing  hot  whiskey  punch  and  spoleaion 
(boiled  beef)  at  the  very  primitive  hour  of  eight  in  the 
morning.  Amidst  the  clank  of  decanters,  the  crash  of  knives 
and  plates,  and  the  jingling  of  glasses,  the  laughter  and 
voices  of  the  guests  were  audibly  increasing ;  and  the  various 
modes  of  "  running  a  buck  "  (Anglice,  substituting  a  vote), 
or  hunting  a  badger,  were  talked  over  on  all  sides,  while 
the  price  of  a  veal  (a  calf),  or  a  voter,  was  disputed  with  alJ 
the  energy  of  debate. 


70  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Kefusing  many  an  offered  place,  I  went  througli  the  dif- 
ferent rooms  in  search  of  Considine,  to  whom  circumstances 
of  late  had  somehow  greatly  attached  me. 

"  Here,  Charley,"  cried  a  voice  I  was  very  familiar  with, 
—  "  here 's  a  place  I  've  been  keeping  for  you." 

"  Ah,  Sir  Harry,  how  do  you  do  ?  Any  of  that  grouse- 
pie  to  spare  ?  " 

"Abundance,  my  boy;  but  I'm  afraid  I  can't  say  as 
much  for  the  liquor.  I  have  been  shouting  for  claret  this 
half-hour  in  vain,  —  do  get  us  some  nutriment  down  here, 
and  the  Lord  will  reward  you.  What  a  pity  it  is,"  he 
added,  in  a  lower  tone,  to  his  neighbor  —  "  what  a  pity  a 
quart-bottle  won't  hold  a  quart ;  but  I  '11  bring  it  before 
the  House  one  of  these  days."  That  he  kept  his  word  in 
this  respect,  a  motion  on  the  books  of  the  Honorable  House 
will  bear  me  witness. 

"  Is  this  it  ?  "  said  he,  turning  towards  a  farmer-like  old 
man,  who  had  put  some  question  to  him  across  the  table ; 
"is  it  the  apple-pie  you  '11  have  ?  " 

"  Many  thanks  to  your  honor,  —  I  'd  like  it,  av  it  was 
wholesome." 

"  And  why  should  n't  it  be  wholesome  ? "  said  Sir 
Harry. 

"Troth,  then,  myself  does  not  know;  but  my  father,  I 
heerd  tell,  died  of  an  apple-plexy,  and  I  'm  afeerd  of 
it." 

I  at  length  found  Considine,  and  learned  that,  as  a  very 
good  account  of  Bodkin  had  arrived,  there  was  no  reason 
why  I  should  not  proceed  to  the  hustings;  but  I  was 
secretly  charged  not  to  take  any  prominent  part  in  the 
day's  proceedings.  My  uncle  I  only  saw  for  an  instant,  — 
he  begged  me  to  be  careful,  avoid  all  scrapes,  and  not  to 
quit  Considine.  It  was  past  ten  o'clock  when  our  formid- 
able procession  got  under  way,  and  headed  towards  the  town 
of  Galway.  The  road  was,  for  miles,  crowded  with  our  fol- 
lowers ;  banners  flying  and  music  playing,  we  presented 
something  of  the  spectacle  of  a  very  ragged  army  on  its 
march.  At  every  cross-road  a  mountain-path  reinforcement 
awaited  us,  and  as  we  wended  along,  our  numbers  were 
momentarily   increasing;  here  and  there  along  the  line, 


THE   ELECTION. 


71 


some  energetic  and  not  over-sober  adherent  was  regaling 
his  auditory  with  a  speech  in  laudation  of  the  O'Malleys 
since  the  days  of  Moses,  and  more  than  one  priest  was 
heard  threatening  the  terrors  of  his  Church  in  aid  of  a 
cause  to  whose  success  he  was  pledged  and  bound.  I  rode 
beside  the  count,  who,  surrounded  by  a  group  of  choice 
spirits,  recounted  the  various  happy  inventions  by  which 
he  had,  on  divers  occasions,  substituted  a  personal  quarrel 


for  a  contest.     Boyle  also  contributed  his  share  of  election 

anecdote,  and  one  incident  he  related,  which,  I  remember, 

amused  me  much  at  the  time. 

"Do   you  remember  Billy  Calvert,  that  came  down  to 

contest  Kilkenny  ?  "   inquired  Sir  Harry. 

"  What,  ever  forget   him  ! "   said   Considine,  "  with  his 

well-powdered  wig  and   his   hessians.      There   never   was 

his  equal  for  lace  ruffles  and  rings." 

"  You  never  heard,  may  be,  how  he  lost  the  election  ?  " 
"  He  resigned,  I  believe,  or  something  of  that  sort." 
"No,  no,"  said  another}  "he  never  came  forward  at  alL 


72  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

There 's  some  secret  in  it ;  for  Tom  Butler  was  elected  with- 
out a  contest." 

"  Jack,  I  '11  tell  you  how  it  happened.  I  was  on  my  way 
up  from  Cork,  having  finished  my  own  business,  and  just 
carried  the  day,  not  without  a  push  for  it.  When  we 
reached,  —  Lady  Mary  was  with  me,  —  when  we  reached 
Kilkenny,  the  night  before  the  election,  I  was  not  ten 
minutes  in  town  till  Butler  heard  of  it,  and  sent  off 
express  to  see  me  ;  I  was  at  my  dinner  when  the  messen- 
ger came,  and  promised  to  go  over  when  I'd  done.  But 
faith,  Tom  did  n't  wait,  but  came  rushing  up-stairs  himself, 
and  dashed  into  the  room  in  the  greatest  hurry. 

"  '  Harry,'  says  he, '  I  'm  done  for  ;  the  corporation  of  free 
smiths,  that  were  always  above  bribery,  having  voted  for 
myself  and  my  father  before,  for  four  pounds  ten  a  man, 
won't  come  forward  under  six  guineas  and  whiskey.  Calvert 
has  the  money ;  they  know  it.  The  devil  a  farthing  we 
have ;  and  we  've  been  paying  all  our  fellows  that  can't 
read  in  Hennesy's  notes,  and  you  know  the  bank 's  broke 
this  three  weeks.' 

"  On  he  went,  giving  me  a  most  disastrous  picture  of  his 
cause,  and  concluded  by  asking  if  I  could  suggest  anything 
under  the  circumstances. 

" '  You  could  n't  get  a  decent  mob  and  clear  the  poll  ? ' 

" '  I  am  afraid  not,'  said  he,  despondingly. 

" '  Then  I  don't  see  what 's  to  be  done,  if  you  can't  pick  a 
fight  with  himself.     Will  he  go  out  ? ' 

'^ '  Lord  knows  !  They  say  he  's  so  afraid  of  that,  that  it 
has  prevented  him  coming  down  till  the  very  day.  But  he 
is  arrived  now;  he  came  in  the  evening,  and  is  stopping 
at  Walsh's  in  Patrick  Street.' 

"  '  Then  I  '11  see  what  can  be  done,'  said  I. 

" '  Is  that  Calvert,  the  little  man  that  blushes  when  the 
Lady-Lieutenant  speaks  to  him  ? '  said  Lady  Mary. 

"  '  The  very  man.' 

" '  Would  it  be  of  any  use  to  you  if  he  could  not  come  on 
the  hustings  to-morrow  ? '  said  she,  again. 

" '  'T  would  gain  us  the  day.  Half  the  voters  don't  believe 
he 's  here  at  all,  and  his  chief  agent  cheated  all  the  people 
on  the   last   election;   and   if   Calvert   didn't  appear,  he 


THE  ELECTION.  73 

wouldn't  have  ten  votes  to  register.  But  why  do  you 
ask?' 

" '  Why,  that,  if  you  like,  I  '11  bet  you  a  pair  of  diamond 
ear-rings  he  sha'  n't  show.' 

" '  Done  ! '  said  Butler.  *  And  I  promise  a  necklace  into 
the  bargain,  if  you  win ;  but  I  'm  afraid  you  're  only  quiz- 
zing me.' 

" '  Here 's  my  hand  on  it,'  said  she.  '  And  now  let 's  talk 
of  something  else.' 

"As  Lady  Mary  never  asked  my  assistance,  and  as  1 
knew  she  was  very  well  able  to  perform  whatever  she 
undertook,  you  may  be  sure  I  gave  myself  very  little 
trouble  about  the  whole  affair ;  and  when  they  came,  I 
went  off  to  breakfast  with  Tom's  committee,  not  knowing 
anything  that  was  to  be  done. 

"Calvert  had  given  orders  that  he  was  to  be  called  at 
eight  o'clock,  and  so  a  few  minutes  before  that  time  a  gentle 
knock  came  to  the  door. 

"'Come  in,'  said  he,  thinking  it  was  the  waiter,  and 
covering  himself  up  in  the  clothes  ;  for  he  was  the  most 
bashful  creature  ever  was  seen,  — '  come  in.' 

"  The  door  opened,  and  what  was  his  horror  to  find  that 
a  lady  entered  in  her  dressing-gown,  her  hair  on  her  shoul- 
ders, very  much  tossed  and  dishevelled.  The  moment  she 
came  in,  she  closed  the  door  and  locked  it,  and  then  sat 
leisurely  down  upon  a  chair. 

"  Billy's  teeth  chattered,  and  his  limbs  trembled  ;  for  this 
was  an  adventure  of  a  very  novel  kind  for  him.  At  last  he 
took  courage  to  speak. 

" '  I  am  afraid,  madam,'  said  he, '  that  you  are  under  some 
unhappy  mistake,  and  that  you  suppose  this  chamber  is  — ' 

" '  Mr.  Calvert's,'  said  the  lady,  with  a  solemn  voice,  '  is 
it  not  ? ' 

"  '  Yes,  madam,  I  am  that  person.' 

" '  Thank  God ! '  said  the  lady,  with  a  very  impressive 
tone.     '  Here  I  am  safe.' 

"  Billy  grew  very  much  puzzled  at  these  words ;  but 
hoping  that  by  his  silence  the  lady  would  proceed  to  some 
explanation,  he  said  no  more.  She,  however,  seemed  to 
think  that  nothing  further  was  necessary,  and  sat  still  and 


74  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

motionless,  with  her  hands  before  her  and  her  eyes  fixed  on 
Billy. 

"  *  You  seem  to  forget  me,  sir  ? '  said  she,  with  a  faint 
smile. 

" '  I  do,  indeed,  madam ;  the  half-light,  the  novelty  of 
your  costume,  and  the  strangeness  of  the  circumstance  alto- 
gether must  plead  for  me,  if  I  appear  rude  enough.' 

" '  I  am  Lady  Mary  Boyle,'  said  she. 

"  '  I  do  remember  you,  madam  ;  but  may  I  ask  — ' 

" '  Yes,  yes ;  I  know  what  you  would  ask.  You  would 
say,  Why  are  you  here  ?  How  comes  it  that  you  have  so 
far  outstepped  the  propriety  of  which  your  whole  life  is 
an  example,  that  alone,  at  such  a  time,  you  appear  in  the 
chamber  of  a  man  whose  character  for  gallantry  — ' 

" '  Oh,  indeed  —  indeed,  my  lady,  nothing  of  the  kind  ! ' 

"  *  Ah,  alas  !  poor  defenceless  women  learn,  too  late,  how 
constantly  associated  is  the  retiring  modesty  which  decries, 
with  the  pleasing  powers  which  ensure  success  — ' 

"  Here  she  sobbed,  Billy  blushed,  and  the  clock  struck  nine. 

"  '  May  I  then  beg,  madam  — ' 

"  '  Yes,  yes,  you  shall  hear  it  all ;  but  my  poor  scattered 
faculties  will  not  be  the  clearer  by  your  hurrying  me.  You 
know,  perhaps,'  continued  she,  'that  my  maiden  name  was 
Rogers  ? '  He  of  the  blankets  bowed,  and  she  resumed, 
*  It  is  now  eighteen  years  since,  that  a  young,  unsuspecting, 
fond  creature,  reared  in  all  the  care  and  fondness  of  doting 
parents,  tempted  her  first  step  in  life,  and  trusted  her  fate 
to  another's  keeping.  I  am  that  unhappy  person  ;  the  other, 
that  monster  in  human  guise  that  smiled  but  to  betray,  that 
won  but  to  ruin  and  destroy,  is  he  whom  you  know  as  Sir 
Harry  Boyle.' 

"  Here  she  sobbed  for  some  minutes,  wiped  her  eyes,  and 
resumed  her  narrative.  Beginning  at  the  period  of  her  mar- 
riage, she  detailed  a  number  of  circumstances  in  which  poor 
Calvert,  in  all  his  anxiety  to  come  aufond  at  matters,  could 
never  perceive  bore  upon  the  question  in  any  way ;  but  as 
she  recounted  them  all  with  great  force  and  precision,  en- 
treating him  to  bear  in  mind  certain  circumstances  to  which 
she  should  recur  by  and  by,  his  attention  was  kept  on  the 
stretch,  and  it  was  only  when  the  clock  struck  ten  that  he 


THE   ELECTION.  75 

was  fully  aware  how  his  moruing  was  passing,  and  what 
surmises  his  absence  might  originate. 

"  '  May  I  interrupt  you  for  a  moment,  dear  madam  ?  Was 
it  nine  or  ten  o'clock  which  struck  last  ?  ' 

"  '  How  should  I  know  ? '  said  she,  frantically.  '  What 
are  hours  and  minutes  to  her  who  has  passed  long  years 
of  misery  ? ' 

"  '  Very  true,  very  true,'  replied  he,  timidly,  and  rather 
fearing  for  the  intellect  of  his  fair  companion. 

She  continued.  The  narrative,  however,  so  far  from  be- 
coming clearer,  grew  gradually  more  confused  and  intricate ; 
and  as  frequent  references  were  made  by  the  lady  to  some 
previous  statement,  Calvert  was  more  than  once  rebuked  for 
forgetfulness  and  inattention,  where  in  reality  nothing  less 
than  short-hand  could  have  borne  him  through. 

"  '  Was  it  in  '93  I  said  that  Sir  Harry  left  me  at  Tuam  ? ' 

"  *  Upon  my  life,  madam,  I  am  afraid  to  aver ;  but  it 
strikes  me  — ' 

"  *  Gracious  powers  !  and  this  is  he  whom  I  fondly  trusted 
to  make  the  depository  of  my  woes  !    Cruel,  cruel  man  ! ' 

"  Here  she  sobbed  considerably  for  several  minutes,  and 
spoke  not.  A  loud  cheer  of  '  Butler  forever ! '  from  the  mob 
without  now  burst  upon  their  hearing,  and  recalled  poor 
Calvert  at  once  to  the  thought  that  the  hours  were  speed- 
ing fast  and  no  prospect  of  the  everlasting  tale  coming  to 
an  end. 

"  '  I  am  deeply,  most  deeply  grieved,  my  dear  madam,' 
said  the  little  man,  sitting  up  in  a  pyramid  of  blankets ; 
'but  hours,  minutes,  are  most  precious  to  me  this  morn- 
ing,   I  am  about  to  be  proposed  as  member  for  Kilkenny.' 

"At  these  words  the  lady  straightened  her  figure  out, 
threw  her  arms  at  either  side,  and  burst  into  a  fit  of  laugh- 
ter which  poor  Calvert  knew  at  once  to  be  hysterics.  Here 
was  a  pretty  situation !  The  bell-rope  lay  against  the  oppo- 
site wall ;  and  even  if  it  did  not,  would  he  be  exactly  war- 
ranted in  pulling  it  ? 

"  '  May  the  devil  and  all  his  angels  take  Sir  Harry  Boyle 
and  his  whole  connection  to  the  fifth  generation  ! '  \^as  his 
sincere  prayer  as  he  sat  like  a  Chinese  juggler  under  his 
canopy. 


76  CHAKLES   O'MALLEY. 

"  At  length  the  violence  of  the  paroxysm  seemed  to  sub- 
side ;  the  sobs  became  less  frequent,  the  kicking  less  forci- 
ble, and  the  lady's  eyes  closed,  and  she  appeared  to  have 
fallen  asleep. 

<•' '  Now  is  the  moment,'  said  Billy.  '  If  I  could  only  get 
as  far  as  my  dressing-gown.'  So  saying,  he  worked  him- 
self down  noiselessly  to  the  foot  of  his  bed,  looked  fixedly 
at  the  fallen  lids  of  the  sleeping  lady,  and  essayed  one  leg 
from  the  blanket.  '  Now  or  never,'  said  he,  pushing  aside 
the  curtain  and  preparing  for  a  spring.  One  more  look  he 
east  at  his  companion,  and  then  leaped  forth ;  but  just  as 
he  lit  upon  the  floor  she  again  roused  herself,  screaming 
with  horror.  Billy  fell  upon  the  bed,  and  rolling  himself 
in  the  bedclothes,  vowed  never  to  rise  again  till  she  was 
out  of  the  visible  horizon. 

"  '  What  is  all  this  ?  What  do  you  mean,  sir  ? '  said  the 
lady,  reddening  with  indignation. 

"  '  Nothing,  upon  my  soul,  madam ;  it  was  only  my  dress- 
ing-gown.' 

" '  Your  dressing-gown ! '  said  she,  with  an  emphasis  worthy 
of  Siddons ;  '  a  likely  story  for  Sir  Harry  to  believe,  sir !  Fie, 
fie,  sir ! ' 

"  This  last  allusion  seemed  a  settler ;  for  the  luckless  Cal- 
vert heaved  a  profound  sigh,  and  sunk  down  as  if  all  hope 
had  left  him.  *  Butler  forever  ! '  roared  the  mob.  '  Calvert 
forever!'  cried  a  boy's  voice  from  without.  'Three  groans 
for  the  runaway ! '  answered  this  announcement ;  and  a  very 
tender  inquiry  of,  '  Where  is  he  ? '  was  raised  by  some  hun- 
dred mouths. 

"  '  Madam,'  said  the  almost  frantic  listener,  — '  madam,  I 
must  get  up !     I  must  dress  !     I  beg  of  you  to  permit  me  ! ' 

" '  I  have  nothing  to  refuse,  sir.  Alas,  disdain  has  long 
been  my  only  portion !     Get  up,  if  you  will.' 

" '  But,'  said  the  astonished  man,  who  was  well-nigh  de- 
ranged at  the  coolness  of  this  reply,  — '  but  how  am  I  to  do 
so  if  you  sit  there  ? ' 

"  '  Sorry  for  any  inconvenience  I  may  cause  you ;  but  in 
the  crowded  state  of  the  hotel  I  hope  you  see  the  impro- 
priety of  my  walking  about  the  passages  in  this  costume  ? ' 

"  '  And,  great  God !  madam,  why  did  you  come  out  in  it  ? ' 


THE   ELECTION.  77 

"A  cheer  from  the  mob  prevented  her  reply  being  au- 
dible. One  o'clock  tolled  out  from  the  great  bell  of  the 
cathedral. 

"  '  There 's  one  o'clock,  as  I  live ! ' 

"  ^  I  heard  it,'  said  the  lady. 

"' The  shouts  are  increasing.  What  is  that  I  hear  ?  "But- 
ler is  in ! "   Gracious  mercy  !  is  the  election  over  ? ' 

"  The  lady  stepped  to  the  window,  drew  aside  the  curtain, 
and  said,  *  Indeed,  it  would  appear  so.  The  mob  are  cheer- 
ing Mr.  Butler.'  A  deafening  shout  burst  from  the  street. 
'  Perhaps  you  'd  like  to  see  the  fun,  so  I  '11  not  detain  you 
any  longer.  So,  good-by,  Mr.  Calvert ;  and  as  your  break- 
fast will  be  cold,  in  all  likelihood,  come  down  to  No.  4,  for 
Sir  Harry 's  a  late  man,  and  will  be  glad  to  see  you.' " 


CHAPTER  XI. 

AN     ADVENTURE. 

As  thus  we  lightened  the  road  with  chatting,  the  increas- 
ing concourse  of  people,  and  the  greater  throng  of  carriages 
that  filled  the  road,  announced  that  we  had  nearly  reached 
our  destination. 

"  Considine,"  said  my  uncle,  riding  up  to  where  we  were, 
"I  have  just  got  a  few  lines  from  Davern.  It  seems  Bod- 
kin's people  are  afraid  to  come  in ;  they  know  what  they 
must  expect,  and  if  so,  more  than  half  of  that  barony  is 
lost  to  our  opponent." 

"  Then  he  has  no  chance  whatever." 

"  He  never  had,  in  my  opinion,"  said  Sir  Harry. 

"  We  '11  see  soon,"  said  my  uncle,  cheerfully,  and  rode  to 
the  post. 

The  remainder  of  the  way  was  occupied  in  discussing  the 
various  possibilities  of  the  election,  into  which  I  was  re- 
joiced to  find  that  defeat  never  entered. 

In  the  goodly  days  I  speak  of,  a  county  contest  was  a  very 
different  thing  indeed  from  the  tame  and  insipid  farce  tliat 
now  passes  under  that  name :  where  a  briefless  barrister, 
bullied  by  both  sides,  sits  as  assessor  ;  a  few  drunken 
voters,  a  radical  O'Connellite  grocer,  a  demagogue  priest,  a 
deputy  grand-purple-something  from  the  Trinity  College 
lodge,  with  some  half-dozen  followers,  shouting,  "To  the 
Devil  with  Peel !  "  or  "  Down  with  Dens  !  "  form  the  whole 
corp-de-ballet.  No,  no ;  in  the  times  I  refer  to  the  voters 
were  some  thousands  in  number,  and  the  adverse  parties 
took  the  field,  far  less  dependent  for  success  upon  previous 
pledge  or  promise  made  tliem  than  upon  the  actual  strata- 
gem of  the  day.  Each  went  forth,  like  a  general  to  battle, 
surrounded  by  a  numerous  and  well-chosen  staff,  —  one  party 
of  friends,  acting  as  commissariat,  attended  to  the  victual- 
ling of  the  voters,  that  they  obtained  a  due,  or  rather  undue 


AN  ADVENTURE.  79 

allowance  of  liquor,  and  came  properly  drunk  to  the  poll ; 
others,  again,  broke  into  skirmishing  parties,  and  scattered 
over  the  country,  cut  off  the  enemy's  supplies,  breaking  down 
their  post-chaises,  upsetting  their  jaunting-cars,  stealing 
their  poll-books,  and  kidnapping  their  agents.  Then  there 
were  secret-service  people,  bribing  the  enemy  and  enticing 
them  to  desert ;  and  lastly,  there  was  a  species  of  sapper- 
and-miner  force,  who  invented  false  documents,  denied  the 
identity  of  the  opposite  party's  people,  and  when  hard 
pushed,  provided  persons  who  took  bribes  from  the  enemy, 
and  gave  evidence  afterwards  on  a  petition.  Amidst  all  these 
encounters  of  wit  and  ingenuity,  the  personal  friends  of  the 
candidate  formed  a  species  of  rifle  brigade,  picking  out  the 
enemy's  officers,  and  doing  sore  damage  to  their  tactics  by 
shooting  a  proposer  or  wounding  a  seconder,  —  a  considerable 
portion  of  every  leading  agent's  fee  being  intended  as  com- 
pensation for  the  duels  he  might,  could,  would,  should,  or 
ought  to  fight  during  the  election.  Such,  in  brief,  was  a 
contest  in  the  olden  time.  And  when  it  is  taken  into  con- 
sideration that  it  usually  lasted  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks ; 
that  a  considerable  military  force  was  always  engaged  (for 
our  Irish  law  permits  this),  and  which,  when  nothing  press- 
ing was  doing,  was  regularly  assailed  by  both  parties ;  that 
far  more  dependence  was  placed  in  a  bludgeon  than  a  pistol ; 
and  that  the  man  who  registered  a  vote  without  a  cracked 
pate  was  regarded  as  a  kind  of  natural  phenomenon,  —  some 
faint  idea  may  be  formed  how  much  such  a  scene  must  have 
contributed  to  the  peace  of  the  county,  and  the  happiness 
and  welfare  of  all  concerned  in  it. 

As  we  rode  along,  a  loud  cheer  from  a  road  that  ran  par- 
allel to  the  one  we  were  pursuing  attracted  our  attention, 
and  we  perceived  that  the  cortege  of  the  opposite  party  was 
hastening  on  to  the  hustings.  I  could  distinguish  the 
Blake  girls  on  horseback  among  a  crowd  of  officers  in 
undress,  and  saw  something  like  a  bonnet  in  the  carriage- 
and-four  which  headed  the  procession,  and  which  I  jiidged 
to  be  that  of  Sir  George  Dashwood.  My  heart  beat  strongly 
as  I  strained  my  eyes  to  see  if  Miss  Dashwood  was  there  ; 
but  I  could  not  discern  her,  and  it  was  with  a  sense  of  relief 
that  I  reflected  on  the  possibility  of  our  not  meeting  under 


80  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

circumstances  wherein  our  feelings  and  interests  were  so 
completely  opposed.  While  I  was  engaged  in  making  this 
survey,  I  had  accidentally  dropped  behind  my  companions ; 
my  eyes  were  firmly  fixed  upon  that  carriage,  and  in  the 
faint  hope  that  it  contained  the  object  of  all  my  wishes,  I 
forgot  everything  else.  At  length  the  cortege  entered  the 
town,  and  passing  beneath  a  heavy  stone  gateway,  was  lost 
to  my  view.  I  was  still  lost  in  revery,  when  an  under- 
agent  of  my  uncle's  rode  up. 

"  Oh,  Master  Charles  ! "  said  he,  "  what's  to  be  done  ? 
They  've  forgotten  Mr.  Holmes  at  Woodford,  and  we 
have  n't  a  carriage,  chaise,  or  even  a  car  left  to  send  for 
him." 

"  Have  you  told  Mr.  Considine  ?  "  inquired  I. 

"And  sure  you  know  yourself  how  little  Mr.  Considine 
thinks  of  a  lawyer.  It 's  small  comfort  he  'd  give  me  if  I 
went  to  tell  him.  If  it  was  a  case  of  pistols  or  a  bullet 
mould  he  'd  ride  back  the  whole  way  himself  for  them." 

"  Try  Sir  Harry  Boyle,  then." 

"  He  's  making  a  speech  this  minute  before  the  court- 
house." 

This  had  sufficed  to  show  me  how  far  behind  my  com- 
panions I  had  been  loitering,  when  a  cheer  from  the  distant 
road  again  turned  my  eyes  in  that  direction ;  it  was  the 
Dashwood  carriage  returning  after  leaving  Sir  George  at 
the  hustings.  The  head  of  the  britska,  before  thrown  open, 
was  now  closed,  and  I  could  not  make  out  if  any  one  were 
inside. 

"  Devil  a  doubt  of  it,"  said  the  agent,  in  answer  to  some 
question  of  a  farmer  who  rode  beside  him  ;  "will  you  stand 
to  me  ?  " 

"  Troth,  to  be  sure  I  will." 

"Here  goes,  then,"  said  he,  gathering  up  his  reins  and 
turning  his  horse  towards  the  fence  at  the  roadside ;  "  fol- 
low me  now,  boys." 

The  order  was  well  obeyed ;  for  when  he  had  cleared  the 
ditch,  a  dozen  stout  country  fellows,  well  mounted,  were 
beside  him.  Away  they  went,  at  a  hunting  pace,  taking 
every  leap  before  them,  and  heading  towards  the  road 
before  us. 


AN  ADVENTURE.  81 

Without  thinking  further  of  the  matter,  I  was  laughing 
at  the  droll  effect  the  line  of  frieze  coats  presented  as  they 
rode  side  by  side  over  the  stone-walls,  when  an  observation 
near  me  aroused  my  attention. 

"Ah,  then,  av  they  know  anything  of  Tim  Finucane, 
they  '11  give  it  up  peaceably  ;  it 's  little  he  'd  think  of  taking 
the  coach  from  under  the  judge  himself." 

"  What  are  they  about,  boys  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Goin'  to  take  the  chaise-and-four  forninst  ye,  yer 
honor,"  said  the  man. 

I  waited  not  to  hear  more,  but  darting  spurs  into  my 
horse's  sides,  cleared  the  fence  in  one  bound.  My  horse,  a 
strong-knit  half-breed,  was  as  fast  as  a  racer  for  a  short  dis- 
tance ;  so  that  when  the  agent  and  his  party  had  come  up 
with  the  carriage,  I  was  only  a  few  hundred  yards  behind. 
I  shouted  out  with  all  my  might,  but  they  either  heard  not 
or  heeded  not,  for  scarcely  was  the  first  man  over  the  fence 
into  the  road  when  the  postilion  on  the  leader  was  felled  to 
the  ground,  and  his  place  supplied  by  his  slayer ;  the  boy 
on  the  wheeler  shared  the  same  fate,  and  in  an  instant,  so 
well  managed  was  the  attack,  the  carriage  was  in  possession 
of  the  assailants.  Four  stout  fellows  had  climbed  into  the 
box  and  the  rumble,  and  six  others  were  climbing  to  the 
interior,  regardless  of  the  aid  of  steps.  By  this  time 
the  Dashwood  party  had  got  the  alarm,  and  returned  in  full 
force,  not,  however,  before  the  other  had  laid  whip  to  the 
horses  and  set  out  in  full  gallop ;  and  now  commenced  the 
most  terrific  race  I  ever  witnessed. 

The  four  carriage-horses,  which  were  the  property  of  Sir 
George,  were  English  thorough-breds  of  great  value,  and, 
totally  unaccustomed  to  the  treatment  they  experienced, 
dashed  forward  at  a  pace  that  threatened  annihilation  to 
the  carriage  at  every  bound.  The  pursuers,  though  well 
mounted,  were  speedily  distanced,  but  followed  at  a  pace 
that  in  the  end  was  certain  to  overtake  the  carriage.  As 
for  myself,  I  rode  on  beside  the  road  at  the  full  speed  of 
my  horse,  shouting,  cursing,  imploring,  execrating,  and  be- 
seeching at  turns,  but  all  in  vain ;  the  yells  and  shouts  of 
the  pursuers  and  pursued  drowned  all  other  sounds,  except 
when  the  thundering  crash  of  the  horses'  feet  rose  above  all. ' 

VOL.    I.  —  6 


82  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

The  road,  like  most  western  Irisli  roads  until  the  present 
century,  lay  straight  as  an  arrow  for  miles,  regardless  of 
every  opposing  barrier,  and  in  the  instance  in  question, 
crossed  a  mountain  at  its  very  highest  point.  Towards  this 
pinnacle  the  pace  had  been  tremendous ;  but  owing  to  the 
higher  breeding  of  the  cattle,  the  carriage  party  had  still 
the  advance,  and  when  they  reached  the  top  they  proclaimed 
the  victory  by  a  cheer  of  triumph  and  derision.  The  car- 
riage disappeared  beneath  the  crest  of  the  mountain,  and 
the  pursuers  halted  as  if  disposed  to  relinquish  the  chase. 

"  Come  on,  boys ;  never  give  up,"  cried  I,  springing  over 
into  the  road,  and  heading  the  party  to  which  by  every  right 
I  was  opposed. 

It  was  no  time  for  deliberation,  and  they  followed  me 
with  a  hearty  cheer  that  convinced  me  I  was  unknown. 
The  next  instant  we  were  on  the  mountain  top,  and  beheld 
the  carriage  half  way  down  beneath  us,  still  galloping  at 
full  stretch. 

"  We  have  them  now,"  said  a  voice  behind  me ;  "  they  '11 
never  turn  Lurra  Bridge,  if  we  only  press  on." 

The  speaker  was  right ;  the  road  at  the  mountain  foot 
turned  at  a  perfect  riglit  angle,  and  then  crossed  a  lofty 
one-arched  bridge  over  a  mountain  torrent  that  ran  deep 
and  boisterously  beneath.  On  we  went,  gaining  at  every 
stride ;  for  the  fellows  who  rode  postilion  well  knew  what 
was  before  them,  and  slackened  their  pace  to  secure  a  safe 
turning.  A  yell  of  victory  arose  from  the  pursuers,  but  was 
answered  by  the  others  with  a  cheer  of  defiance.  The  space 
was  now  scarcely  two  hundred  yards  between  us,  when  the 
head  of  the  britska  was  flung  down,  and  a  figure  that  I  at 
once  recognized  as  the  redoubted  Tim  Finucane,  one  of  the 
boldest  and  most  reckless  fellows  in  the  county,  was  seen 
standing  on  the  seat,  holding,  —  gracious  Heavens  !  it  was 
true,  —  holding  in  his  arms  the  apparently  lifeless  figure  of 
Miss  Dashwood. 

"  Hold  in  !  "  shouted  the  ruffian,  with  a  voice  that  rose 
high  above  all  the  other  sounds.  "  Hold  in  !  or  by  the 
Eternal,  I  '11  throw  her,  body  and  bones,  into  the  Lurra 
Gash  !  "  for  such  was  the  torrent  called  that  boiled  and 
foamed  a  few  yards  before  us. 


AN  ADVENTURE.  »o 

He  had  by  tliis  time  got  firmly  planted  on  the  hind  seat, 
and  held  the  drooping  form  on  one  arm  with  all  the  ease  of 
a  giant's  grasp. 

"  For  the  love  of  God  !  "  said  I,  "  pull  up.  I  know  him 
well ;  he  '11  do  it  to  a  certainty  if  you  press  on." 

'•'And  we  know  you,  too,"  said  a  ruffianly  fellow,  with  a 
dark  v>'hisker  meeting  beneath  his  chin,  "  and  have  some 
scores  to  settle  ere  we  part  — " 

But  I  heard  no  more.  With  one  tremendous  effort  I 
dashed  my  horse  forward.  The  carriage  turned  an  angle  of 
the  road,  for  an  instant  was  out  of  sight,  another  moment  I 
was  behind  it. 

"  Stop  !  "  I  shouted,  with  a  last  effort,  but  in  vain.  The 
horses,  maddened  and  infuriated,  sprang  forward,  and  heed- 
less of  all  efforts  to  turn  them  the  leaders  sprang  over  the 
low  parapet  of  the  bridge,  and  hanging  for  a  second  by  the 
traces,  fell  with  a  crash  into  the  swollen  torrent  beneath. 
By  this  time  I  was  beside  the  carriage.  Finucane  had  now 
clambered  to  the  box,  and  regardless  of  the  death  and  ruin 
around,  bent  upon  his  murderous  object,  he  lifted  the  light 
and  girlish  form  above  his  head,  bent  backwards  as  if  to 
give  greater  impulse  to  his  effort,  when,  twining  my  lash 
around  my  wrist,  I  levelled  my  heavy  and  loaded  hunting- 
whip  at  his  head.  The  weighted  ball  of  lead  struck  him 
exactly  beneath  his  hat;  he  stnggered,  his  hands  relaxed, 
and  he  fell  lifeless  to  the  ground  ;  the  same  instant  I  was 
felled  to  the  earth  by  a  blow  from  behind,  and  saw  no  more. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


MICKEY    FREE. 


Nearly  three  weeks  followed  the  event  I  have  just 
narrated  ere  I  again  was  restored  to  consciousness.  The 
blow  by  Avhich  I  was  felled  —  from  what  hand  coming  it 
was  never  after  discovered  —  had  brought  on  concussion 
of  the  brain,  and  for  several  days  my  life  was  despaired  of. 
As  by  slow  steps  I  advanced  towards  recovery,  I  learned 
from  Considine  that  Miss  Dashwood,  whose  life  was  saved 
by  my  interference,  had  testified,  in  the  warmest  manner,  her 
gratitude,  and  that  Sir  George  had,  up  to  the  period  of  his 
leaving  the  country,  never  omitted  a  single  day  to  ride  over 
and  inquire  for  me. 

"You  know,  of  course,"  said  the  count,  supposing  such 
news  was  the  most  likely  to  interest  me,  —  "you  know  we 
beat  them  ?  " 

"No.  Pray  tell  me  all.  They  've  not  let  me  hear  anything 
hitherto." 

"  One  day  finished  the  whole  affair.  We  polled  man  for 
man  till  past  two  o'clock,  when  our  fellows  lost  all  patience 
and  beat  their  tallies  out  of  the  town.  The  police  came  up, 
but  they  beat  the  police  ;  then  they  got  soldiers,  but,  begad, 
they  were  too  strong  for  them,  too.  Sir  George  witnessed 
it  all,  and  knowing  besides  how  little  chance  he  had  of 
success,  deemed  it  best  to  give  in ;  so  that  a  little  before 
five  o'clock  he  resigned.  I  must  say  no  man  could  behave 
better.  He  came  across  the  hustings  and  shook  hands  with 
Godfrey  ;  and  as  the  news  of  the  scrimmage  with  his  daugh- 
ter had  just  arrived,  said  that  he  was  sorry  his  prospect  of 
success  had  not  been  greater,  that  in  resigning  he  might 
testify  how  deeply  he  felt  the  debt  the  O'Malleys  had  laid 
him  under." 

"  And  my  uncle,  how  did  he  receive  his  advances  ?  " 


MICKEY  FREE,  85 

"Like  his  own  honest  self,  —  grasped  his  hand  firmly ;  and 
upon  my  soul,  I  think  he  was  half  sorry  that  he  gained  the 
day.  Do  you  know,  he  took  a  mighty  fancy  to  that  blue- 
eyed  daughter  of  the  old  general's.  Faith,  Charley,  if  he 
was  some  twenty  years  younger,  I  would  not  say  but  — 
Come,  come,  I  did  n't  mean  to  hurt  your  feelings  ;  but  I 
have  been  staying  here  too  long,  I'll  send  u]3  Mickey 
to  sit  with  you.  Mind  and  don't  be  talking  too  much  to 
him,"     ^ 

So  saying,  the  worthy  count  left  the  room  fully  impressed 
that  in  hinting  at  the  possibility  of  my  uncle's  marrying 
again,  he  had  said  something  to  ruffle  my  temper. 

For  the  next  two  or  three  weeks  my  life  was  one  of  the 
most  tiresome  monotony.  Strict  injunctions  had  been  given 
by  the  doctors  to  avoid  exciting  me ;  and  consequently, 
every  one  that  came  in  walked  on  tiptoe,  spoke  in  whispers, 
and  left  me  in  five  minutes,  Reading  was  absolutely  for- 
bidden ;  and  with  a  sombre  half-light  to  sit  in,  and  chicken 
broth  to  support  nature,  I  dragged  out  as  dreary  an  exist- 
ence as  any  gentleman  west  of  Athlone. 

Whenever  my  uncle  or  Considine  were  not  in  the  room, 
my  companion  was  my  own  servant,  Michael,  or  as  he  was 
better  known,  "  Mickey  Free,"  Now,  had  Mickey  been  left 
to  his  own  free  and  unrestricted  devices,  the  time  would  not 
have  hung  so  heavily  ;  for  among  Mike's  manifold  gifts  he 
was  possessed  of  a  very  great  flow  of  gossiping  conversation. 
He  knew  all  that  was  doing  in  the  county,  and  never  was 
barren  in  his  information  wherever  his  imagination  could 
come  into  play.  Mickey  was  the  best  hurler  in  the  barony, 
no  mean  performer  on  the  violin,  could  dance  the  national 
bolero  of  "  Tatter  Jack  Walsh  "  in  a  way  that  charmed  more 
than  one  soft  heart  beneath  a  red  woolsey  bodice,  and  had, 
withal,  the  peculiar  free-and-easy  devil-may-care  kind  of  off- 
hand Irish  way  that  never  deserted  him  in  the  midst  of  his 
wiliest  and  most  subtle  moments,  giving  to  a  very  deep  and 
cunning  fellow  all  the  apparent  frankness  and  openness  of  a 
country  lad. 

He  had  attached  himself  to  me  as  a  kind  of  sporting 
companion ;  and  growing  daily  more  and  more  useful,  had 
been  gradually  admitted  to  the  honors  of  the  kitchen  and 


86        •  CHARLES  0'jVIi\.LLEY. 

the  prerogatives  of  cast  clothes,  without  ever  having  been 
actually  engaged  as  a  servant ;  and  while  thus  no  warrant 
officer,  as,  in  fact,  he  discharged  all  his  duties  well  and 
punctually,  was  rated  among  the  ship's  company,  though 
no  one  could  say  at  what  precise  period  he  changed  his 
caterpillar  existence  and  became  the  gay  butterfly  with 
cords  and  tops,  a  striped  vest,  and  a  most  knowing  jerry 
hat  who  stalked  about  the  stable-yard  and  bullied  the 
helpers.  Such  was  Mike.  He  had  made  his  fortune,  such 
as  it  was,  and  had  a  most  becoming  pride  in  the  fact  that 
he  made  himself  indispensable  to  an  establishment  which, 
before  he  entered  it,  never  knew  the  want  of  him.  As 
for  me,  he  was  everything  to  me.  Mike  informed  me  what 
horse  was  Avrong,  why  the  chestnut  mare  could  n't  go  out, 
and  why  the  black  horse  could.  He  knew  the  arrival  of 
a  new  covey  of  partridge  quicker  than  the  "  Morning  Post " 
does  of  a  noble  family  from  the  Continent,  and  could  tell 
their  whereabouts  twice  as  accurately.  But  his  talents  took 
a  wider  range  than  field  sports  afford,  and  he  was  the  faith- 
ful chronicler  of  every  wake,  station,  wedding,  or  christen- 
ing for  miles  round ;  and  as  I  took  no  small  pleasure  in 
those  very  national  pastimes,  the  information  was  of  great 
value  to  me.  To  conclude  this  brief  sketch,  Mike  was  a 
devout  Catholic  in  the  same  sense  that  he  was  enthusiastic 
about  anything,  —  that  is,  he  believed  and  obeyed  exactly  as 
far  as  suited  his  own  peculiar  notions  of  comfort  and  happi- 
ness. Beyond  that,  his  scepticism  stepped  in  and  saved  him 
from  inconvenience  ;  and  though  he  might  have  been  some- 
what puzzled  to  reduce  his  faith  to  a  rubric,  still  it  answered 
his  purpose,  and  that  was  all  he  wanted.  Such,  in  short, 
was  my  valet,  Mickey  Free,  and  who,  had  not  heavy  injunc- 
tions been  laid  on  him  as  to  silence  and  discretion,  would 
well  have  lightened  my  weary  hours. 

"Ah,  then,  Misther  Charles!"  said  he,  with  a  half- 
suppressed  yawn  at  the  long  period  of  probation  his  tongue 
had  been  undergoing  in  silence,  —  "  ah,  then,  but  ye  were 
mighty  near  it ! " 

"  Near  what  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Faith,  then,  myself  does  n't  well  know.  Some  say  it 's 
purgathory  ;  but  it 's  hard  to  tell." 


MICKEY  FREE.  87 

"I  thought  you  were  too  good  a  Catholic,  Mickey,  to 
show  any  doubts  on  the  matter  ?  " 

"  May  be  I  am ;  may  be  I  ain't,"  was  the  cautious  reply. 

"  Would  n't  Father  lioach  explain  any  of  your  difficulties 
for  you,  if  you  went  over  to  him  ?  " 

"  Faix,  it 's  little  I  'd  mind  his  explainings." 

"  And  why  not  ?  " 

"Easy  enough.  If  you  ax  ould  Miles  there,  without,  what 
does  he  be  doing  with  all  the  powther  and  shot,  would  n't  he 
tell  you  he 's  shooting  the  rooks,  and  the  magpies,  and  some 
other  varmint  ?  But  myself  knows  he  sells  it  to  Widow 
Casey,  at  two-and-fourpence  a  pound ;  so  belikes,  Father 
Roach  may  be  shooting  away  at  the  poor  souls  in  purga- 
thory,  that  all  this  time  are  enjoying  the  hoith  of  fine 
living  in  heaven,  ye  understand." 

"  And  you  think  that 's  the  way  of  it,  Mickey  ?  " 

"  Troth,  it 's  likely.  Anyhow,  I  know  its  not  the  place 
they  make  it  o\it." 

"  Why,  how  do  you  mean  ?  " 

''Well,  then,  I'll  tell  you,  Misther  Charles;  but  you 
must  not  be  saying  anything  about  it  afther,  for  I  don't 
like  to  talk  about  these  kind  of  things." 

Having  pledged  myself  to  the  requisite  silence  and 
secrecy,  Mickey  began  :  — 

"  jNIay  be  you  heard  tell  of  the  way  my  father,  rest  his 
soul  wherever  he  is,  came  to  his  end.  Well,  I  need  n't  mind 
particulars,  but,  in  short,  he  was  murdered  in  Ballinasloe 
one  night,  when  he  was  baitin'  the  whole  town  with  a 
blackthorn  stick  he  had ;  more  by  token,  a  piece  of  a  scythe 
was  stuck  at  the  end  of  it,  —  a  nate  weapon,  and  one  he  was 
mighty  partial  to  ;  but  those  murdering  thieves,  the  cattle- 
dealers,  that  never  cared  for  diversion  of  any  kind,  fell  on 
him  and  broke  his  skull. 

"  Well,  we  had  a  very  agreeable  wake,  and  plenty  of  the 
best  of  everything,  and  to  spare,  and  I  thought  it  was  all 
over;  but  somehow,  though  I  paid  Father  Eoach  fifteen 
shillings,  and  made  him  mighty  drunk,  he  always  gave  me 
a  black  look  wherever  I  met  him,  and  when  I  took  off  my 
hat,  he  'd  turn  away  his  head  displeased  like. 

"  '  Murder  and  ages,'  says  I,  '  what 's  this  for  ? '     But  as 


88  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

I  've  a  light  heart,  I  bore  up,  and  did  n't  think  more  about 
it.  One  day,  however,  I  was  coming  home  from  Athlone 
market,  by  myself  on  the  road,  when  Father  Roach  over- 
took me.  'Devil  a  one  a  me  'ill  take  any  notice  of  you 
now,'  says  I,  '  and  we  '11  see  what  '11  come  out  of  it.'  So 
the  priest  rid  up  and  looked  me  straight  in  the  face. 

" '  Mickey,'  says  he,  — '  Mickey.' 

"  'Father,'  says  I. 

" '  Is  it  that  way  you  salute  your  clargy,'  says  he,  '  with 
your  caubeen  on  your  head  ?  ' 

"  '  Faix,'  says  I,  '  it 's  little  ye  mind  whether  it 's  an  or 
aff ;  for  you  never  take  the  trouble  to  say,  "  By  your  leave," 
or  ''  Damn  your  soul ! "  or  any  other  politeness  when  we 
meet.' 

'' '  You  're  an  ungrateful  creature,'  says  he ;  '  and  if  you 
only  knew,  you'd  be  trembling  in  your  skin  before  me, 
this  minute.' 

"  '  Devil  a  tremble,'  says  I,  '  after  walking  six  miles  this 
way.' 

" '  You  're  an  obstinate,  hard-hearted  sinner,'  says  he  ; 
'  and  it 's  no  use  in  telling  you.' 

"  '  Telling  me  what  ?  '  says  I ;  for  I  was  getting  curious 
to  make  out  what  he  meant. 

"'Mickey,'  says  he,  changing  his  voice,  and  putting  his 
head  down  close  to  me,  — '  Mickey,  I  saw  your  father  last 
night.' 

"  '  The  saints  be  merciful  to  us  ! '  said  I,  '  did  ye  ? ' 

"  '  I  did,'  says  he. 

" '  Tear  an  ages,'  says  I,  '  did  he  tell  you  what  he  did 
with  the  new  corduroys  he  bought  in  the  fair  ? ' 

" '  Oh,  then,  you  are  a  could-hearted  creature  ! '  says  he, 
'  and  I  '11  not  lose  time  with  you.'  With  that  he  was  going 
to  ride  away,  when  I  took  hold  of  the  bridle. 

" '  Father,  darling,'  says  I,  '  God  pardon  me,  but  them 
breeches  is  goin'  between  me  an'  my  night's  rest ;  but  tell 
me  about  my  father  ?  ' 

" '  Oh,  then,  he 's  in  a  melancholy  state ! ' 

"  '  Whereabouts  is  he  ? '  says  I. 

"  '  In  purgathory,'  says  he ;  '  but  he  won't  be  there  long.' 

"  '  Well,'  says  I,  '  that 's  a  comfort,  anyhow.' 


MICKEY  FREE.  89 

"  '  I  am  glad  you  think  so,'  says  he ;  '  but  there 's  more  of 
the  other  opinion.' 

«  '  What 's  that  ? '  says  I. 

" '  That  hell 's  worse.' 

"  '  Oh,  melia-murther ! '  says  I,  '  is  that  it  ?  ' 

"  '  Ay,  that 's  it.' 

"  Well,  I  was  so  terrified  and  frightened,  I  said  nothing 
for  some  time,  but  trotted  along  beside  the  priest's  horse. 

" '  Father,'  says  I,  '  how  long  will  it  be  before  they  send 
him  where  you  know  ?  ' 

*' '  It  will  not  be  long  now,'  says  he,  *  for  they  're  tired 
entirely  with  him  ;  they  've  no  peace  night  or  day,'  says  he. 
*  Mickey,  your  father  is  a  mighty  hard  man.' 

" '  True  for  you.  Father  Roach,'  says  I  to  myself ;  '  av  he 
had  only  the  ould  stick  with  the  scythe  in  it,  I  wish  them 
joy  of  his  company.' 

''  '■  Mickey,'  says  he,  '  I  see  you  're  grieved,  and  I  don't 
wonder ;  sure,  it 's  a  great  disgrace  to  a  decent  family.' 

"  *  Troth,  it  is,'  says  I ;  '  but  my  father  always  liked  low 
company.  Could  nothing  be  done  for  him  now.  Father 
Eoach  ?  '  says  I,  looking  up  in  the  priest's  face. 

"  <  I  'm  greatly  afraid,  Mickey,  he  was  a  bad  man,  a  very 
bad  man.' 

"  *  And  ye  think  he  '11  go  there  ? '  says  I. 

" '  Indeed,  Mickey,  I  have  my  fears.' 

"  '  Upon  my  conscience,'  says  I,  '  I  believe  you  're  right ; 
he  was  always  a  restless  crayture.' 

"  '  But  it  does  n't  depind  on  him,'  says  the  priest,  crossly. 

"  '  And,  then,  who  then  ?  '  says  I. 

" '  Upon  yourself,  Mickey  Free,'  says  he,  '  God  pardon 
you  for  it,  too  ! ' 

'* '  Upon  me  ?  '  says  I. 

" '  Troth,  no  less,'  says  he  ;  '  how  many  Masses  was  said 
for  your  father's  soul ;  how  many  Aves ;  how  many 
Paters  ?     Answer  me.' 

"  '  Devil  a  one  of  me  knows  !  —  may  be  twenty.' 

" '  Twenty,  twenty  !  —  no,  nor  one.' 

" '  And  why  not  ? '  says  I ;  '  what  for  would  n't  you  be 
helping  a  poor  crayture  out  of  trouble,  when  it  would  n't 
cost  you  more  nor  a  handful  of  prayers  ? ' 


90  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  '  Mickey,  I  see,'  says  he,  in  a  solemn  tone,  'you 're  worse 
nor  a  haythen ;  but  ye  could  n't  be  other,  ye  never  come  to 
yer  duties.' 

"  '  Well,  Father,'  says  I,  cooking  very  penitent,  '■  how  many 
Masses  would  get  him  out  ? ' 

" '  Now  you  talk  like  a  sensible  man,'  says  he.  *  Now, 
Mickey,  I  've  hopes  for  you.  Let  me  see,'  here  he  went 
countin'  upon  his  fingers,  and  numberin'  to  himself  for  five 
minutes.  'Mickey/  says  he,  'I've  a  batch  coming  out  on 
Tuesday  week,  and  if  you  were  to  make  great  exertions, 
perhaps  your  father  could  come  with  them ;  that  is,  av  they 
have  made  no  objections.' 

"  *  And  what  for  would  they  ? '  says  I ;  '  he  was  always 
the  hoith  of  company,  and  av  singing 's  allowed  in  them 
parts  — ' 

"  '  God  forgive  you,  Mickey,  but  yer  in  a  benighted  state,' 
says  he,  sighing. 

"  '  Well,'  says  I,  '  how  '11  we  get  him  out  on  Tuesday  week  ? 
For  that 's  bringing  things  to  a  focus.' 

" '  Two  Masses  in  the  morning,  fastin','  says  Father  Roach, 
half  aloud,  'is  two,  and  two  in  the  afternoon  is  four,  and 
two  at  vespers  is  six,'  says  he ;  '  six  Masses  a  day  for  nine 
days  is  close  by  sixty  Masses,  —  say  sixty,'  says  he ;  '  and 
they  '11  cost  you  —  mind,  Mickey,  and  don't  be  telling  it 
again,  for  it 's  only  to  yourself  I  'd  make  them  so  cheap  — 
a  matter  of  three  pounds.' 

"  '  Three  pounds  ! '  says  I ;  '  be-gorra  ye  might  as  well  ax 
me  to  give  you  the  rock  of  Cashel.' 

" '  I  'm  sorry  for  ye,  Mickey,'  says  he,  gatherin'  up  the 
reins  to  ride  off,  — '  I  'm  sorry  for  ye  ;  and  the  time  will 
come  when  the  neglect  of  your  poor  father  will  be  a  sore 
stroke  agin  yourself.' 

" '  Wait  a  bit,  your  reverence,'  says  I,  — '  wait  a  bit. 
Would  forty  shillings  get  him  out  ?  ' 

"  '  Av  course  it  would  n't,'  says  he. 

"  '  May  be,'  says  I,  coaxing,  — '  may  be,  av  you  said  that  his 
son  was  a  poor  boy  that  lived  by  his  indhustry,  and  the 
times  was  bad  — ' 

" '  Not  the  least  use,'  says  he. 

"  '  Arrah,  but  it 's  hard-hearted  they  are,'  thinks  I.    '  Well, 


MICKEY  FREE.  91 

see  now,  I  '11  give  you  the  money,  but  I  can't  afford  it  all  at 
onst ;  but  I  '11  pay  five  shillings  a  week.     Will  that  do  ? ' 

"  '  I  '11  do  my  endayvors,'  says  Father  Roach  ;  '  and  I  '11 
speak  to  them  to  treat  him  peaceably  in  the  meantime.' 

"  '  Long  life  to  yer  reverence,  and  do.  Well,  here  now, 
liere's  five  hogs  to  begin  with;  and,  musha,  but  I  never 
thought  I  'd  be  spending  my  loose  change  that  way.' 

"  Father  Roach  put  the  six  tinpinnies  in  the  pocket  of 
his  black  leather  breeches,  said  something  in  Latin,  bid  me 
good-morning,  and  rode  off. 

"  Well,  to  make  my  story  short,  I  worked  late  and  early 
to  pay  the  five  shillings  a  week,  and  I  did  do  it  for  three 
weeks  regular ;  then  I  brought  four  and  fourpence ;  then  it 
came  down  to  one  and  tenpence  halfpenny,  then  ninepence, 
and  at  last  I  had  nothing  at  all  to  bring. 

'"Mickey  Free,'  says  the  priest,  'ye  must  stir  yourself. 
Your  father  is  mighty  displeased  at  the  way  you  've  been 
doing  of  late ;  and  av  ye  kept  yer  word,  he  'd  be  near  out 
by  this  time.' 

"  '  Troth,'  says  I,  '  it 's  a  very  expensive  place.' 

" '  By  coorse  it  is,'  says  he ;  '  sure  all  the  quality  of  the 
land  's  there.  But,  Mickey,  my  man,  with  a  little  exertion, 
your  father's  business  is  done.  What  are  you  jingling  in 
your  pocket  there  ?  ' 

'"It's  ten  shillings,  your  reverence,  I  have  to  buy  seed 
potatoes.' 

" '  Hand  it  here,  my  son.  Is  n't  it  better  your  father 
would  be  enjoying  himself  in  paradise,  than  if  ye  were  to 
have  all  the  potatoes  in  Ireland  ? ' 

"  'And  how  do  ye  know,'  says  I,  'he  's  so  near  out  ?  ' 

" '  How  do  I  know,  —  how  do  I  know,  is  it  ?  Did  n't  I  see 
him  ? ' 

" '  See  him !     Tear  an  ages,  was  you  down  there  again  ? ' 

" '  I  was,'  says  he  ;  '  I  was  down  there  for  three  quarters 
of  an  hour  yesterday  evening,  getting  out  Luke  Kennedy's 
mother.  Decent  people  the  Kennedy's ;  never  spared 
expense.' 

" '  And  ye  seen  my  father  ? '  says  I. 

" '  I  did,'  says  he  ;  '  he  had  an  ould  flannel  waistcoat  on, 
and  a  pipe  sticking  out  of  the  pocket  av  it.' 


92  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

" '  That 's  him,'  says  I.     '  Had  he  a  hairy  cap  ? ' 

" '  I  did  n't  mind  the  cap,'  says  he ;  '  but  av  coorse  he 
would  n't  have  it  on  his  head  in  that  place.' 

" '  Thrue  for  you,'  says  I.     '  Did  he  speak  to  you  ? ' 

" '  He  did,'  says  Father  Roach ;  '  he  sj)oke  very  hard 
about  the  way  he  was  treated  down  there ;  that  they  was 
always  jibin'  and  jeerin'  him  about  drmk,  and  fightin',  and 
the  course  he  led  up  here,  and  that  it  was  a  queer  thing,  for 
the  matter  of  ten  shillings,  he  was  to  be  kept  there  so  long.' 

" '  Well,'  says  I,  taking  out  the  ten  shillings  and  counting 
it  with  one  hand,  '  we  must  do  our  best,  anyhow ;  and  ye 
think  this  '11  get  him  out  surely  ?  ' 

" '  I  know  it  will,'  says  he ;  '  for  when  Luke's  mother  was 
leaving  the  place,  and  yer  father  saw  the  door  open,  he 
made  a  rush  at  it,  and,  be-gorra,  before  it  was  shut  he  got 
his  head  and  one  shoulder  outside  av  it,  —  so  that,  ye  see,  a 
thrifle  more  '11  do  it.' 

" '  Faix,  and  yer  reverence,'  says  I,  '  you  've  lightened  my 
heart  this  morning.'  And  I  put  my  money  back  again  in 
my  pocket. 

" '  Why,  what  do  you  mean  ? '  says  he,  growing  very  red, 
for  he  was  angry. 

"'Just  this,'  says  I,  'that  I've  saved  my  money;  for  av 
it  was  my  father  you  seen,  and  that  he  got  his  head  and  one 
shoulder  outside  the  door,  oh,  then,  by  the  powers ! '  says  I, 
'the  devil  a  jail  or  jailer  from  hell  to  Connaught  id  hould 
him.  So,  Father  Eoach,  I  wish  you  the  top  of  the  morning.' 
And  I  went  away  laughing  ;  and  from  that  day  to  this  I 
never  heard  more  of  purgathory ;  and  ye  see,  Master 
Charles,  I  think  I  was  right." 

Scarcely  had  Mike  concluded  when  my  door  was  suddenly 
burst  open,  and  Sir  Harry  Boyle,  without  assuming  any  of 
his  usual  precautions  respecting  silence  and  quiet,  rushed 
into  the  room,  a  broad  grin  upon  his  honest  features,  and 
his  eyes  twinkling  in  a  way  that  evidently  showed  me  some- 
thing had  occurred  to  amuse  him. 

"  By  Jove,  Charley,  I  must  n't  keep  it  from  you ;  it 's  too 
good  a  thing  not  to  tell  you.  Do  you  remember  that  very 
essenced  young  gentleman  who  accompanied  Sir  George 
Dashwood  from  Dublin,  as  a  kind  of  electioneering  friend  ?  " 


MICKEY  FREE.  93 

"  Do  you  mean  Mr.  Prettyman  ?  " 

"  The  very  man ;  he  was,  you  are  aware,  an  under-secretary 
in  some  government  department.  Well,  it  seems  that  he 
had  come  down  among  us  poor  savages  as  much  from  motives 
of  learned  research  and  scientific  inquiry,  as  though  we  had 
been  South  Sea  Islanders ;  report  had  gifted  us  humble 
Galwayans  with  some  very  peculiar  traits,  and  this  gifted 
individual  resolved  to  record  them.  Whether  the  election 
week  might  have  sufficed  his  appetite  for  wonders  I  know 
not ;  but  he  was  peaceably  taking  his  departure  from  the 
west  on  Saturday  last,  when  Phil  Macnamara  met  him,  and 
pressed  him  to  dine  that  day  with  a  few  friends  at  his  house. 
You  know  Phil ;  so  that  when  I  tell  you  Sam  Burke,  of 
Greenmount,  and  Roger  Doolan  were  of  'the  party,  I  need 
not  say  that  the  English  traveller  was  not  left  to  his  own 
unassisted  imagination  for  his  facts.  Such  anecdotes  of  our 
habits  and  customs  as  they  erammed  him  with,  it  would 
appear,  never  were  heard  before ;  nothing  was  too  hot  or 
too  heavy  for  the  luckless  cockney,  who,  when  not  sipping 
his  claret,  was  faithfully  recording  in  his  tablet  the  mems. 
for  a  very  brilliant  and  very  original  work  on  Ireland. 

"  *  Fine  country,  splendid  country  ;  glorious  people,  — 
gifted,  brave,  intelligent,  but  not  happy,  —  alas !  Mr.  Mac- 
namara, not  happy.  But  we  don't  know  you,  gentlemen,  — 
we  don't  indeed,  —  at  the  other  side  of  the  Channel.  Our 
notions  regarding  you  are  far,  very  far  from  just.' 

" '  I  hope  and  trust,'  said  old  Burke,  '  you  '11  help  them 
to  a  better  understanding  ere  long.' 

"  '  Such,  my  dear  sir,  will  be  the  proudest  task  of  my  life. 
The  facts  I  have  heard  here  this  evening  have  made  so  pro- 
found an  impression  upon  me  that  I  burn  for  the  moment 
when  I  can  make  them  known  to  the  world  at  large.  To 
think  —  just  to  think  that  a  portion  of  this  beautiful  island 
should  be  steeped  in  poverty ;  that  the  people  not  only  live 
upon  the  mere  potatoes,  but  are  absolutely  obliged  to  wear 
the  skins  for  raiment,  as  Mr.  Doolan  has  just  mentioned 
to  me  ! ' 

"  '  Which  accounts  for  our  cultivation  of  lumpers,'  added 
Mr.  Doolan,  '  they  being  the  largest  species  of  the  root,  and 
best  adapted  for  wearing  apparel.' 


94  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  '  I  should  deem  myself  culpable  —  indeed  I  should  — 
did  I  not  inform  my  countrymen  upon  the  real  condition  of 
this  great  country.' 

"  '  Why,  after  3' our  great  opportunities  for  judging,'  said 
Phil,  'you  ought  to  speak  out.  You've  seen  us  in  a  way,  I 
may  fairly  affirm,  few  Englishmen  have,  and  heard  more.' 

"'That's  it,  —  that's  the  very  thing,  Mr.  Macnamara. 
I  've  looked  at  you  more  closely ;  I  've  watched  you  more 
narrowly ;  I  've  witnessed  what  the  French  call  your  vie 
iiitime.'  ^ 

"'Begad  you  have,'  said  old  Burke,  with  a  grin,  'and 
profited  by  it  to  the  utmost.' 

"  '  I  've  been  a  spectator  of  your  election  contests  ;  I  've 
partaken  of  your  hospitality  ;  I  've  witnessed  your  popular 
and  national  sports  ;  I  've  been  present  at  your  weddings, 
your  fairs,  your  wakes  ;  but  no,  —  I  was  forgetting,  —  I 
never  saw  a  wake.' 

"  '  jSTever  saw  a  wake  ? '  repeated  each  of  the  company 
in  turn,  as  though  the  gentleman  was  uttering  a  sentiment 
of  very  dubious  veracity. 

"  '  Kever,'  said  Mr,  Prettyman,  rather  abashed  at  this 
proof  of  his  incapacity  to  instruct  his  English  friends  upon 
ali  matters  of  Irish  interest, 

"  '  Well,  then,'  said  Macnamara,  '  with  a  blessing,  we  '11 
show  you  one.  Lord  forbid  that  we  should  n't  do  the  hon- 
ors of  our  poor  country  to  an  intelligent  foreigner  when 
he  's  good  enough  to  come  among  us.' 

"  '  Peter,'  said  he,  turning  to  the  servant  behind  him, 
'  who  's  dead  hereabouts  ? ' 

" '  Sorra  one,  yer  honor.  Since  the  scrimmage  at  Por- 
tumna  the  place  is  peaceable.' 

"  '  Who  died  lately  in  the  neighborhood  ?  ' 

" '  The  widow  Macbride,  yer  honor.' 

"  '  Could  n't  they  take  her  up  again,  Peter  ?  My  friend 
here  never  saw  a  wake.' 

"  '  I  'm  afeered  not ;  for  it  was  the  boys  roasted  her,  and 
she  would  n't  be  a  decent  corpse  for  to  show  a  stranger,' 
said  Peter,  in  a  whisper, 

"  Mr,  Prettyman  shuddered  at  these  peaceful  indications 
of  the  neighborhood,  and  said  nothing. 


MiCIvEY  FREE.  95 

" '  "Well,  then,  Peter,  tell  Jimmy  Divine  to  take  the  old 
musket  in  my  bedroom,  and  go  over  to  the  Clunagh  bog, 
—  he  can't  go  wrong.  There  's  twelve  families  there  that 
never  pay  a  halfpenny  rent;  and  ichen  it's  done,  let  him 
give  notice  to  the  neighborhood,  and  we  '11  have  a  rousing 
wake.' 

"  *  You  don't  mean,  Mr.  Macnamara,  —  you  don't  mean 
to  say — '  stammered  out  the  cockney,  with  a  face  like  a 
gliost. 

"  '  I  only  mean  to  say,'  said  Phil,  laughing,  '  that  you  're 
keeping  the  decanter  very  long  at  your  right  hand.' 

"  Burke  contrived  to  interpose  before  the  Englishman 
could  ask  any  explanation  of  what  he  had  just  heard,  — 
and  for  some  minutes  he  could  only  wait  in  impatient 
anxiety,  —  when  a  loud  report  of  a  gun  close  beside  the 
house  attracted  the  attention  of  the  guests.  The  next  mo- 
ment old  Peter  entered,  his  face  radiant  with  smiles. 

"  '  Well,  what 's  that  ? '  said  Macnamara. 

"  '  'T  was  Jimmy,  yer  honor.  As  the  evening  was  rainy, 
he  said  he  'd  take  one  of  the  neighbors  ;  and  he  had  n't  to 
go  far,  for  Andy  Moore  was  going  home,  and  he  brought 
him  down  at  once.' 

"  '  Did  he  shoot  him  ? '  said  Mr.  Prettyman,  while  cold 
perspiration  broke  over  his  forehead.  '  Did  he  murder  the 
man  ? ' 

"  '  Sorra  murder,'  said  Peter,  disdainfully.  '  But  why 
should  n't  he  shoot  him  when  the  master  bid  him  ?  ' 

"  I  need  n't  tell  you  more,  Charley  ;  but  in  ten  minutes 
after,  feigning  some  excuse  to  leave  the  room,  the  terri- 
fied cockney  took  flight,  and  offering  twenty  guineas  for  a 
horse  to  convey  him  to  Athlone,  he  left  Galway,  fully  con- 
vinced that  they  don't  yet  know  us  on  the  other  side  of 
the  Channel." 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   JOURNEY. 

The  election  concluded,  the  turmoil  and  excitement  of 
the  contest  over,  all  was  fast  resuming  its  accustomed 
routine  around  us,  when  one  morning  my  uncle  informed 
me  that  I  was  at  length  to  leave  my  native  county  and 
enter  upon  the  great  world  as  a  student  of  Trinity  College, 
Dublin.  Although  long  since  in  expectation  of  this  event- 
ful change,  it  was  with  no  slight  feeling  of  emotion  I  con- 
templated the  step  which,  removing  me  at  once  from  all  my 
early  friends  and  associations,  was  to  surround  me  with  new 
companions  and  new  influences,  and  place  before  me  very 
different  objects  of  ambition  from  those  I  had  hitherto  been 
regarding. 

My  destiny  had  been  long  ago  decided.  The  army  had 
had  its  share  of  the  family,  who  brought  little  more  back  with 
them  from  the  wars  than  a  short  allowance  of  members  and 
shattered  constitutions  ;  the  navy  had  prdved,  on  more  than 
one  occasion,  that  the  fate  of  the  O'Malleys  did  not  incline 
to  hanging  ;  so  that,  in  Irish  estimation,  but  one  alternative 
remained,  and  that  was  the  bar.  Besides,  as  my  uncle  re- 
marked, with  great  truth  and  foresight,  "Charley  will  be 
tolerably  independent  of  the  public,  at  all  events ;  for  even 
if  they  never  send  him  a  brief,  there 's  law  enough  in  the 
family  to  last  his  time,"  —  a  rather  novel  reason,  by-the-bye, 
for  making  a  man  a  lawyer,  and  which  induced  Sir  Harry, 
with  his  usual  clearness,  to  observe  to  me :  — 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  boy,  you  are  in  luck.  If  there  had 
been  a  Bible  in  the  house,  I  firmly  believe  he  'd  have  made 
you  a  parson." 

Considine  alone,  of  all  my  uncle's  advisers,  did  not  concur 
in  this  determination  respecting  me.  He  set  forth,  with  an 
eloquence  that  certainly  converted  me,  that  my  head  was 
better  calculated  for  bearing  hard  knocks  than  unravelling 


THE  JOURNEY.  97 

knotty  points,  that  a  shako  would  become  it  infinitely  better 
than  a  wig;  and  declared,  roundly,  that  a  boy  who  began  so 
well  and  had  such  very  pretty  notions  about  shooting  Av^as 
positively  thrown  away  in  the  Four  Courts.  My  uncle, 
however,  was  firm,  and  as  old  Sir  Harry  suj)ported  him,  the 
day  was  decided  against  us,  Considine  murmuring  as  he  left 
the  room  something  that  did  not  seem  quite  a  brilliant  an- 
ticipation of  the  success  awaiting  me  in  my  legal  career. 
As  for  myself,  though  only  a  silent  spectator  of  the  debate, 
all  my  wishes  were  with  the  count.  From  my  earliest  boy- 
hood a  military  life  had  been  my  strongest  desire ;  the  roll 
of  the  drum,  and  the  shrill  fife  that  played  through  the  little 
village,  with  its  ragged  troop  of  recruits  following,  had 
charms  for  me  I  cannot  describe ;  and  had  a  choice  been 
allowed  me,  I  would  infinitely  rather  have  been  a  sergeant 
in  the  dragoons  than  one  of  his  Majesty's  learned  in  the 
law.  If,  then,  such  had  been  the  cherished  feeling  of  many 
a  year,  how  much  more  strongly  were  my  aspirations 
heightened  by  the  events  of  the  last  few  days.  The  tone 
of  superiority  1  had  witnessed  in  Hammersley,  whose  con- 
duct to  me  at  parting  had  placed  him  high  in  my  esteem  ; 
the  quiet  contempt  of  civilians  implied  in  a  thousand  sly 
ways ;  the  exalted  estimate  of  his  own  profession,  —  at  once 
■wounded  my  pride  and  stimulated  my  ambition ;  and  lastly, 
more  than  all,  the  avowed  preference  that  Lucy  Dashwood 
evinced  for  a  military  life,  were  stronger  allies  than  my 
own  conviction  needed  to  make  me  long  for  the  army.  So 
completely  did  the  thought  possess  me  that  I  felt,  if  I  were 
not  a  soldier,  I  cared  not  what  became  of  me.  Life  had  no 
other  object  of  ambition  for  me  than  military  renown,  no 
other  success  for  which  I  cared  to  struggle,  or  would  value 
when  obtained.  "  Aut  Ccesar  aut  nullus,''^  thought  I ;  and 
when  my  uncle  determined  T  should  be  a  lawyer,  I  neither 
murmured  nor  objected,  but  hugged  myself  in  the  prophecy 
of  Considine  that  hinted  pretty  broadly,  "  the  devil  a  stu- 
pider fellow  ever  opened  a  brief ;  but  he  'd  have  made  a 
slashing  light  dragoon." 

The  preliminaries  were  not  long  in  arranging.  It  was 
settled  that  I  should  be  immediately  despatched  to  Dublin 
to  the  care  of  Dr.  Mooney,  then  a  junior  fellow  in  the  Uni- 

VOL.   I. —  7 


98  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

versity,  who  would  take  me  into  his  especial  charge  ;  while 
Sir  Harry  was  to  furnish  me  with  a  letter  to  his  old  friend, 
Doctor  Barret,  whose  advice  and  assistance  he  estimated  at 
a  very  high  price.  Provided  with  such  documents  I  was 
informed  that  the  gates  of  knowledge  were  more  than  half 
ajar  for  me,  without  an  effort  upon  my  part.  One  only 
portion  of  all  the  arrangements  I  heard  with  anything 
like  pleasure ;  it  was  decided  that  my  man  Mickey  was 
to  accompany  me  to  Dublin,  and  remain  with  me  during 
my  stay. 

It  was  upon  a  clear,  sharp  morning  in  January,  of  the 
year  18 — ,  that  I  took  my  place  upon  the  box-seat  of  the 
old  Galway  mail  and  set  out  on  my  journey.  My  heart 
was  depressed,  and  my  spirits  were  miserably  low.  I  had 
all  that  feeling  of  sadness  which  leave-taking  inspires,  and 
no  sustaining  prospect  to  cheer  me  in  the  distance.  For 
the  first  time  in  my  life,  I  had  seen  a  tear  glisten  in  my 
poor  uncle's  eye,  and  heard  his  voice  falter  as  he  said, 
"  Farewell ! "  Notwithstanding  the  difference  of  age,  we 
had  been  perfectly  companions  together  ;  and  as  I  thought 
now  over  all  the  thousand  kindnesses  and  affectionate  in- 

r 

stances  of  his  love  I  had  received,  my  heart  gave  way,  and 
the  tears  coursed  slowly  down  my  cheeks.  I  turned  to  give 
one  last  look  at  the  tall  chimneys  and  the  old  woods,  my 
earliest  friends  ;  but  a  turn  of  the  road  had  shut  out  the 
prospect,  and  thus  I  took  my  leave  of  Galway. 

My  friend  Mickey,  who  sat  behind  with  the  guard,  par- 
ticipated but  little  in  my  feelings  of  regret.  The  potatoes 
in  the  metropolis  could  scarcely  be  as  wet  as  the  lumpers  in 
Scariff ;  he  had  heard  that  whiskey  was  not  dearer,  and 
looked  forward  to  the  other  delights  of  the  capital  with  a 
longing  heart.  Meanwhile,  resolved  that  no  portion  of  his 
career  should  be  lost,  he  was  lightening  the  road  by  anec- 
dote and  song,  and  held  an  audience  of  four  people,  a  very 
crusty-looking  old  guard  included,  in  roars  of  laughter. 
Mike  had  contrived,  with  his  usual  savoir  faire,  to  make 
himself  very  agreeable  to  an  extremely  pretty-looking 
country  girl,  around  whose  waist  he  had  most  lovingly 
passed  his  arm  under  pretence  of  keeping  her  from  falling, 
and  to  whom,  in  the  midst  of  all  his  attentions  to  the  party 


THE  JOmiNEF.  99 

at  large,  he  devoted  himself  considerably,  pressing  his  suit 
with  all  the  aid  of  his  native  minstrelsy. 

"  Houkl  me  tight,  Miss  Matilda,  dear." 

"My  name's  Mary  Brady,  av  ye  plase." 

"Ay,  and  I  do  plase. 

'  Oh,  Mary  Bra<lj%  you  are  my  darlin', 
You  are  my  looking-glass  from  night  till  morning  ; 
I  'd  rayther  have  ye  without  one  farthen, 
Nor  Shusey  Gallagher  and  her  house  and  garden.' 

May  I  never  av  I  would  n't  then  ;  and  ye  need  n't  be 
laughing. 

"  Is  his  honor  at  home  ?  " 

This  speech  was  addressed  to  a  gaping  country  fellow 
that  leaned  on  his  spade  to  see  the  coach  pass. 

"  Is  his  honor  at  home  ?  I  've  something  for  him  from 
Mr.  Davern." 

iMickey  well  knew  that  few  western  gentlemen  were  with- 
out constant  intercourse  with  the  Athlone  attorney.  The 
poor  countryman  accordingly  hastened  through  the  fence 
and  pursued  the  coach  with  all  speed  for  above  a  mile,  Mike 
pretending  all  the  time  to  be  in  the  greatest  anxiety  for  his 
overtaking  them,  vmtil  at  last,  as  he  stopped  in  despair,  a 
hearty  roar  of  laughter  told  him  that,  in  Mickey's  parlance, 
he  was  "  sould." 

"  Taste  it,  my  dear ;  devil  a  harm  it  '11  do  ye.  It  never 
paid  the  king  sixpence." 

Here  he  filled  a  little  horn  vessel  from  a  black  bottle  he 
carried,  accompanying  the  action  with  a  song,  the  air  to 
which,  if  any  of  my  readers  feel  disposed  to  sing  it,  I  may 
observe,  bore  a  resemblance  to  the  well-known,  "  A  Fig  for 
Saint  Denis  of  France." 


POTTEEX,  GOOD  LUCK  TO  YE,  DEAR. 

Av  I  was  a  monarch  in  state, 
Like  Romulus  or  Julius  Caysar, 

With  the  best  of  fine  victuals  to  eat, 
And  drink  like  great  Nebuchadnezzar, 


100  CHARLES  0'MAI.LEY. 

A  rasher  of  bacon  I  'd  have, 

And  jiotatoes  the  finest  was  seen,  sir, 
And  lor  drink,  it 's  no  tdaret  I  'd  crave, 

But  a  keg  of  ould  Mullens's  potteeii,  sir, 

With  the  smell  of  the  smoke  on  it  still. 

They  talk  of  the  Romans  of  ould. 

Whom  they  say  in  their  own  times  was  frisky; 
But  trust  me,  to  keep  out  the  cowld. 

The  Romans  at  home  here  like  whiskey. 
Sure  it  warms  both  the  head  and  the  heart, 

It 's  the  soul  of  all  readin'  and  writin'; 
It  teaches  both  science  and  art. 

And  disposes  for  love  or  for  fightin'. 

Oh,  potteen,  good  luck  to  ye,  dear. 

This  very  classic  production,  and  the  black  bottle  which 
accompanied  it,  completely  established  the  singer's  pre-em- 
inence in  the  company ;  and  I  heard  sundry  sounds  resem- 
bling drinking,  with  frequent  good  wishes  to  the  provider  of 
the  feast,  —  "  Long  life  to  ye,  Mr.  Free,"  "  Your  health  and 
inclinations,  Mr.  Free,"  etc.  ;  to  which  Mr.  Free  responded 
by  drinking  those  of  the  company,  "  av  they  were  vartuous." 
The  amicable  relations  thiis  happily  established  promised  a 
very  lasting  reign,  and  would  doubtless  have  enjoyed  such, 
had  not  a  slight  incident  occurred  which  for  a  brief  season 
interrupted  them.  At  the  village  where  we  stopped  to  break- 
fast, three  very  venerable  figures  presented  themselves  for 
places  in  the  inside^  of  the  coach;  they  were  habited  in 
black  coats,  breeches,  and  gaiters,  wore  hats  of  a  very  eccle- 
siastic breadth  in  their  brim,  and  had  altogether  the  peculiar 
air  and  bearing  which  distinguishes  their  calling,  being  no 
less  than  three  Roman  Catholic  prelates  on  their  way  to 
Dublin  to  attend  a  convocation.  While  INIickey  and  his 
friends,  Avith  the  ready  tact  which  every  low  Irishman  pos- 
sesses, immediately  perceived  who  and  Avhat  these  worship- 
ful individuals  were,  another  traveller  who  had  just  assumed 
his  place  on  the  outside  participated  but  little  in  the  feel- 
ings of  reverence  so  manifestly  displayed,  but  gave  a  sneer 
of  a  very  ominous  kind  as  the  skirt  of  the  last  black  coat 
disappeared  within  the  coach.     This  latter  individual  was  a 


THE  JOURKEY.  101 

short,  thick-set,  bandy-legged  man  of  about  fifty,  with  an 
enormous  nose,  which,  whatever  its  habitual  coloring,  on  the 
morning  in  question  was  of  a  brilliant  purple.  He  wore  a 
blue  coat  with  bright  buttons,  upon  which  some  letters  were 
inscribed ;  and  around  his  neck  was  fastened  a  ribbon  of  the 
same  color,  to  which  a  medal  was  attached.  This  he  dis- 
played with  something  of  ostentation  whenever  an  opportu- 
nity occurred,  and  seemed  altogether  a  person  who  possessed 
a  most  satisfactory  impression  of  his  own  importance.  In 
fact,  had  not  this  feeling  been  participated  in  by  others,  Mr. 
Billy  Crow  would  never  have  been  deputed  by  No.  13,476  to 
carry  their  warrant  down  to  the  west  country,  and  establish 
the  nucleus  of  an  Orange  Lodge  in  the  town  of  Foxleigh ; 
such  being,  in  brief,  the  reason  why  he,  a  very  well  known 
manufacturer  of  "  leather  continuations "  in  Dublin,  had 
ventured  upon  the  perilous  journey  from  which  he  was  now 
returning.  Billy  was  going  on  his  way  to  town  rejoicing, 
for  he  had  had  most  brilliant  success :  the  brethren  had 
feasted  and  feted  him  ;  he  had  made  several  splendid  ora- 
tions, with  the  usual  number  of  prophecies  about  the  speedy 
downfall  of  Eomanism,  the  inevitable  return  of  Protestant 
ascendancy,  the  pleasing  prospect  that  with  increased  effort 
and  improved  organization  they  should  soon  be  able  to  have 
everything  their  own  way,  and  clear  the  Green  Isle  of  the 
horrible  vermin  Saint  Patrick  forgot  when  banishing  the 
others;  and  that  if  Daniel  O'Connell  (whom  might  the  Lord 
confound !)  could  only  be  hanged,  and  Sir  Harcourt  Lees 
made  Primate  of  all  Ireland,  there  were  still  some  hopes  of 
peace  and  prosperity  to  the  country. 

Mr.  Crow  had  no  sooner  assumed  his  place  upon  the  coach 
than  he  saw  that  he  was  in  the  camp  of  the  enemy.  Hap- 
pily for  all  parties,  indeed,  in  Ireland,  political  differences 
have  so  completely  stamped  the  externals  of  each  party  that 
he  must  be  a  man  of  small  penetration  who  cannot,  in  the 
first  five  minutes  he  is  thrown  among  strangers,  calculate 
with  considerable  certainty  whether  it  will  be  more  condu- 
cive to  his  happiness  to  sing,  '•  Croppies  Lie  Down,"  or  "  The 
Battle  of  Eoss."  As  for  Billy  Crow,  long  life  to  him !  you 
might  as  well  attempt  to  pass  a  turkey  upon  IVI.  Audubon 
for  a  giraffe,  as  endeavor  to  impose  a  Papist  upon  him  for  a 


LIBRARY 

UNTVER?!TTY  OF  C.atjfoRNIA 
SANTA  BARBARA 


102  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

true  follower  of  King  William.  He  could  have  given  you 
more  generic  distinctions  to  guide  you  in  the  decision  than 
ever  did  Cuvier  to  designate  an  antediluvian  mammoth ;  so 
that  no  sooner  had  he  seated  himself  upon  the  coach  than 
he  buttoned  up  his  great-coat,  stuck  his  hands  firmly  in  his 
side-pockets,  pursed  up  his  lips,  and  looked  altogether  like 
a  man  that,  feeling  himself  out  of  his  element,  resolves  to 
"  bide  his  time  "  in  patience  until  chance  may  throw  him 
among  more  congenial  associates.  Mickey  Free,  who  was 
himself  no  mean  proficient  in  reading  a  character,  at  one 
glance  saw  his  man,  and  began  hammering  his  brains  to  see 
if  he  could  not  overreach  him.  The  small  portmanteau 
which  contained  Billy's  wardrobe  bore  the  conspicuous  an- 
nouncement of  his  name  ;  and  as  Mickey  could  read,  this  was 
one  important  step  already  gained. 

He  accordingly  took  the  first  opportunity  of  seating  him- 
self beside  him,  and  opened  the  conversation  by  some  very 
polite  observation  upon  the  other's  wearing  apparel,  which 
is  always  in  the  west  considered  a  piece  of  very  courteous 
attention.  By  degrees  the  dialogue  prospered,  and  Mickey 
began  to  make  some  very  important  revelations  about  him- 
self and  his  master,  imtimating  that  the  "  state  of  the 
country  "  was  such  that  a  man  of  his  way  of  thinking  had 
no  peace  or  quiet  in  it. 

"  That 's  him  there,  forenent  ye,"  said  Mickey,  "  and  a 
better  Protestant  never  hated  Mass.     Ye  understand." 

"  What ! "  said  Billy,  unbuttoning  the  collar  of  his  coat 
to  get  a  fairer  view  at  his  companion ;  "  why,  I  thought 
you  were  —  " 

Here  he  made  some  resemblance  of  the  usual  manner  of 
blessing  oneself. 

"  Me,  devil  a  more  nor  yourself,  Mr.  Crow." 

"  Why,  do  you  know  me,  too  ?  " 

"  Troth,  more  knows  you  than  you  think." 

Billy  looked  very  much  puzzled  at  all  this ;  at  last  he 
said,  — 

"  And  ye  tell  me  that  your  master  there 's  the  right 
sort  ?  " 

''Thrue  blue,"  said  Mike,  with  a  wink,  "and  so  is  his 
uncles." 


THE  JOURNEY.  103 

"  And  where  are  they,  when  they  are  at  home  ?  " 

"In  Galway,  no  less  ;  but  they're  here  now." 

"•Where  ?  " 

"  Here." 

At  these  words  he  gave  a  knock  of  his  heel  to  the  coach, 
as  if  to  intimate  their  "whereabouts." 

"  You  don't  mean  in  the  coach,  do  ye  ?  " 

"To  be  sure  I  do;  and  troth  you  can't  know  much  of 
the  west,  av  ye  don't  know  the  three  Mr.  Trenches  of 
Tally  bash  !  — them  's  they." 

"  You  don't  say  so  ?  " 

"  Faix,  but  I  do." 

"  May  I  never  drink  the  12th  of  July  if  I  did  n't  think 
they  were  priests." 

"  Priests ! "  said  Mickey,  in  a  roar  of  laughter,  —  "  priests ! " 

"  Just  priests  ! " 

"  Be-gorra,  though,  ye  had  better  keep  that  to  yourself ; 
for  they  're  not  the  men  to  have  that  same  said  to  them." 

"  Of  course  I  would  n't  offend  them,"  said  Mr.  Crow ; 
"  faith,  it 's  not  me  would  cast  reflections  upon  such  real 
out-and-outers  as  they  are.  And  where  are  they  going 
now  ?  " 

"  To  Dublin  straight ;  there  's  to  be  a  grand  lodge  next 
week.     But  sure  Mr.  Crow  knows  better  than  me." 

Billy  after  this  became  silent.  A  moody  revery  seemed 
to  steal  over  him ;  and  he  was  evidently  displeased  with 
himself  for  his  want  of  tact  in  not  discovering  the  three 
Mr.  Trenches  of  Tallybash,  though  he  only  caught  sight  of 
their  backs. 

Mickey  Free  interrupted  not  the  frame  of  mind  in  which 
he  saw  conviction  was  slowly  working  its  way,  but  by 
gently  humming  in  an  undertone  the  loyal  melody  of 
"Croppies  Lie  Down,"  fanned  the  flame  he  had  so  dexter- 
ously kindled.  At  length  they  reached  the  small  town  of 
Kinnegad.  While  the  coach  changed  horses,  Mr.  Crow  lost 
not  a  moment  in  descending  from  the  top,  and  rushing  into 
the  little  inn,  disappeared  for  a  few  moments.  When  he 
again  issued  forth,  he  carried  a  smoking  tumbler  of  whiskey 
punch,  which  he  continued  to  stir  with  a  spoon.  As  he 
approached    the   coach-door    he   tapped    gently   with    his 


104  CHARLES  O'MALLEY 

knuckles ;  upon  wliicli  the  reverend  prelate  of  Marouia,  or 
Mesopotamia,  I  forget  which,  inquired  what  he  wanted. 

"I  ask  your  pardon,  gentlemen,"  said  Billy,  "but  I 
thought  1  'd  make  bold  to  ask  you  to  take  something  warm 
this  cold  day." 

"  Many  thanks,  my  good  friend ;  but  we  never  do,"  said 
a  bland  voice  from  within. 

"  I  understand,"  said  Billy,  with  a  sly  wink  ;  "  but  there 
are  circumstances  now  and  then,  —  and  one  might  for  the 
honor  of  the  cause,  you  know.  Just  put  it  to  your  lips, 
won't  you  ?  " 

"  Excuse  me,"  said  a  very  rosy-cheeked  little  prelate, 
"but  nothing  stronger  than  water  —  " 

"  Botheration,"  thought  Billy,  as  he  regarded  the  speak- 
er's nose.  "  But  I  thought,"  said  he,  aloud,  "  that  you 
would  not  refuse  this." 

Here  he  made  a  peculiar  manifestation  in  the  air,  which, 
whatever  respect  and  reverence  it  might  carry  to  the  honest 
brethren  of  13,476,  seemed  only  to  increase  the  wonder  and 
astonishment  of  the  bishops. 

"  What  does  he  mean  ?  "  said  one. 

"  Is  he  mad  ?  "  said  another. 

"  Tear  and  ages,"  said  Mr.  Crow,  getting  quite  impatient 
at  the  slowness  of  his  friends'  perception,  — "  tear  and 
ages,  I'm  one  of  yourselves." 

"  One  of  us,"  said  the  three  in  chorus,  —  "  one  of  us  ?  " 

"  Ay,  to  be  sure,"  here  he  took  a  long  pull  at  the  punch, 
—  "  to  be  sure  I  am ;  here  's  '  No  surrender,'  your  souls  ! 
whoop — "  a  loud  yell  accompanying  the  toast  as  he  drank 
it. 

"  Do    you    mean    to    insult    us  ? "    said    Father  P . 

"  Guard,  take  the  fellow." 

"  Are  we  to  be  outraged  in  this  manner  ?  "  chorussed  the 
priests. 

" '  July  the  1st,  in  Oldbridge  town,' "  sang  Billy,  "  and 
here  it  is,  '  The  glorious,  pious,  and  immortal  memory  of 
the  great  and  good  —  '  " 

"  Guard  !     Where  is  the  guard  ?  " 

" '  And  good  King  William,  that  saved  us  from 
Popery  — ' " 


THE  JOURNEY. 


105 


"  Coachman  !     Guard !  "  screamed  Father  — — . 

" '  Brass  money  — '  " 

"  Policeman  !  policeman  ! "  shouted  the  priests. 

" '  Brass  money  and  wooden  shoes  ; '  devil  may  care  who 
hears  me  ! "  said  Billy,  who,  supposing  that  the  three  Mr, 
Trenches  were  skulking  the  avowal  of  their  principles,  re- 
solved to  assert  the  pre-eminence  of  the  great  cause  single- 
handed  and  alone. 


"  '  Here 's  the  Pope  in  the  pillory,  and  the  Devil  pelting 
him  with  priests.' " 

At  these  words  a  kick  from  behind  apprised  the  loyal 
champion  that  a  very  ragged  auditory,  who  for  some  time 
past  had  not  well  understood  the  gist  of  his  eloquence,  had 
at  length  comprehended  enough  to  be  angry.  Ce  n^est  que 
le premier  pas  qui  coute,  certainly,  in  an  Irish  row.  "The 
merest  urchin  may  light  the  train ;  one  handful  of  mud 
often  ignites  a  shindy  that  ends  in  a  most  bloody  battle." 


106  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

And  here,  no  sooner  did  the  vis-a-tergo  impel  Billy  forward 
than  a  severe  rap  of  a  closed  fist  in  the  eye  drove  him  back, 
and  in  one  instant  he  became  the  centre  to  a  periphery  of 
kicks,  cuffs,  pullings,  and  haulings  that  left  the  poor 
deputy-grand  not  only  orange,  but  blue. 

He  fought  manfully,  but  numbers  carried  the  day  ;  and 
wlien  the  coach  drove  off,  which  it  did  at  last  without  him, 
the  last  thing  visible  to  the  outsides  was  the  figure  of  Mr. 
Crow,  —  whose  hat,  minus  the  crown,  had  been  driven  over 
his  head  down  upon  his  neck,  where  it  remained  like  a  dress 
cravat,  —  buffeting  a  mob  of  ragged  vagabonds  who  had  so 
completely  metamorphosed  the  unfortunate  man  with  mud 
and  bruises  that  a  committee  of  the  grand  lodge  might 
actually  have  been  unable  to  identify  him. 

As  for  Mickey  and  his  friends  behind,  their  mirth  knew 
no  bounds  ;  and  except  the  respectable  insides,  there  was 
not  an  individual  about  the  coach  who  ceased  to  think  of 
and  laugh  at  the  incident  till  we  arrived  in  Dublin  and 
drew  up  at  the  Hibernian  in  Dawson  Street. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

DUBLIN. 

No  sooner  had  I  arrived  in  Dublin  than  my  first  care  was 
to  present  myself  to  Dr.  Mooney,  by  whom  I  was  received 
in  the  most  cordial  manner.  In  fact,  in  my  utter  igno- 
rance of  such  persons,  I  had  imagined  a  college  fellow  to 
be  a  character  necessarily  severe  and  unbending ;  and  as 
the  only  two  very  great  people  I  had  ever  seen  in  my  life 
were  the  Archbishop  of  Tuam  and  the  chief-baron  when  on 
circuit,  I  pictured  to  myself  that  a  university  fellow  was, 
in  all  probability,  a  cross  between  the  two,  and  feared  him 
accordingly. 

The  doctor  read  over  my  uncle's  letter  attentively,  invited 
me  to  partake  of  his  breakfast,  and  then  entered  upon  some- 
thing like  an  account  of  the  life  before  me ;  for  which  Sir 
Harry  Boyle  had,  however,  in  some  degree  prepared  me. 

''Your  uncle,  I  find,  wishes  you  to  live  in  college,  — perhaps 
it  is  better,  too,  —  so  that  I  must  look  out  for  chambers  for 
you.  Let  me  see  :  it  will  be  rather  diificult,  just  now,  to 
find  them."  Here  he  fell  for  some  moments  into  a  musing 
fit,  and  merely  muttered  a  few  broken  sentences,  as :  "  To  be 
sure,  if  other  chambers  could  be  had  —  but  then  —  and  after 
all,  perhaps,  as  he  is  young  —  besides.  Prank  will  certainly 
be  expelled  before  long,  and  then  he  will  have  them  all  to 
himself.  I  say,  O'Malley,  I  believe  I  must  quarter  you  for 
the  present  with  a  rather  wild  companion  ;  but  as  your  uncle 
says  you  're  a  prudent  fellow,"  —  here  he  smiled  very  much, 
as  if  my  uncle  had  not  said  any  such  thing,  —  "  why,  you 
must  only  take  the  better  care  of  yourself  until  we  can 
make  some  better  arrangement.  My  pupil,  Frank  Webber, 
is  at  this  moment  in  want  of  a  '  chum,'  as  the  phrase  is,  —  his 
last  three  having  only  been  domesticated  with  him  for  as 
many  weeks  ;  so  that  until  we  find  you  a  more  quiet  resting- 
place,  you  may  take  up  your  abode  with  him." 


108  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

During  breakfast,  the  doctor  proceeded  to  inform  me  that 
my  destined  companion  was  a  young  man  of  excellent  family 
and  good  fortune  who,  with  very  considerable  talents  and 
acquirements,  preferred  a  life  of  rackety  and  careless  dissi- 
pation to  prospects  of  great  success  in  public  life,  which  his 
connection  and  family  might  have  secured  for  him.  That  he. 
had  been  originally  entered  at  Oxford,  which  he  was  obliged 
to  leave ;  then  tried  Cambridge,  from  which  he  escaped 
expulsion  by  being  rusticated,  —  that  is,  having  incurred  a 
sentence  of  temporary  banishment ;  and  lastly,  was  endeav- 
oring, with  what  he  himself  believed  to  be  a  total  reforma- 
tion, to  stumble  on  to  a  degree  in  the  "  silent  sister." 

"This  is  his  third  year,"  said  the  doctor,  "and  he  is  only 
a  freshman,  having  lost  every  examination,  with  abilities 
enough  to  sweep  the  university  of  its  prizes.  But  come 
over  now,  and  I  '11  present  you  to  him." 

I  followed  him  down-stairs,  across  the  court  to  an  angle 
of  the  old  square  where,  up  the  first  floor  left,  to  use  the 
college  direction,  stood  the  name  of  Mr.  Webber,  a  large 
No.  2  being  conspicuously  painted  in  the  middle  of  the  door 
and  not  over  it,  as  is  usually  the  custom.  As  we  reached 
the  spot,  the  observations  of  my  companion  were  lost  to  me 
in  the  tremendous  noise  and  uproar  that  resounded  from 
within.  It  seemed  as  if  a  number  of  people  were  fighting 
pretty  much  as  a  banditti  in  a  melodrama  do,  with  consid- 
erable more  of  confusion  than  requisite  ;  a  fiddle  and  a 
French  horn  also  lent  their  assistance  to  shouts  and  cries 
which,  to  say  the  best,  were  not  exactly  the  aids  to  study  I 
expected  in  such  a  place. 

Three  times  was  the  bell  pulled  with  a  vigor  that  threat- 
ened its  downfall,  when  at  last,  as  the  jingle  of  "it  rose  above 
all  other  noises,  suddenly  all  became  hushed  and  still ;  a 
momentary  pause  succeeded,  and  the  door  was  opened  by 
a  very  respectable  looking  servant  who,  recognizing  the 
doctor,  at  once  introduced  us  into  the  apartment  where 
Mr.  Webber  was  sitting. 

In  a  large  and  very  handsomely  furnished  room,  where 
Brussels  carpeting  and  softly  cushioned  sofas  contrasted 
strangely  with  the  meagre  and  comfortless  chambers  of  the 
doctor,  sat  a  young  man  at  a  small  breakfast-table  beside 


DUBLIN.  109 

the  fire.  He  was  attired  in  a  silk  dressing-gown  and  black 
velvet  slipi^ers,  and  supported  his  forehead  upon  a  hand  of 
most  lady-like  whiteness,  whose  fingers  were  absolutely 
covered  with  rings  of  great  beauty  and  price.  His  long 
silky  brown  hair  fell  in  rich  profusion  upon  the  back  of 
his  neck  and  over  his  arm,  and  the  whole  air  and  attitude 
was  one  which  a  painter  might  have  copied.  So  intent  was 
he  upon  the  volume  before  him  that  he  never  raised  his 
head  at  our  approach,  but  continued  to  read  aloud,  totally 
unaware  of  our  presence. 

"  Dr.  Mooney,  sir,"  said  the  servant. 

"  Ton  dapamei/  bominos,  pr-osephe,  crmie  Agamemnon,^' 
repeated  the  student,  in  an  ecstasy,  and  not  paying  the 
slightest  attention  to  the  announcement. 

"  Dr.  Mooney,  sir,"  repeated  the  servant,  in  a  louder  tone, 
while  the  doctor  looked  around  on  every  side  for  an  expla- 
nation of  the  late  uproar,  with  a  face  of  the  most  puzzled 
astonishment. 

"Be  dakiown  para  thina  dolekosJcion  enlcos^^  said  Mr. 
Webber,  finishing  a  cup  of  coffee  at  a  draught. 

"  Well,  Webber,  hard  at  work  I  see,"  said  the  doctor. 

"  Ah,  Doctor,  I  beg  pardon !  Have  j'ou  been  long  here  ?  " 
said  the  most  soft  and  insinuating  voice,  while  the  speaker 
passed  his  taper  fingers  across  his  brow,  as  if  to  dissipate 
the  traces  of  deep  thought  and  study. 

While  the  doctor  presented  me  to  my  future  companion, 
I  could  perceive,  in  the  restless  and  searching  look  he  threw 
around,  that  the  fracas  he  had  so  lately  heard  was  still  an 
unexplained  and  vexata  questio  in  his  mind. 

"  May  I  offer  you  a  cup  of  coffee,  IVIr.  O'Malley  ?  "  said 
the  youth,  with  an  air  of  almost  timid  bashfulness.  "  The 
doctor,  I  know,  breakfasts  at  a  very  early  hour."' 

"  I  say,  Webber,"  said  the  doctor,  who  could  no  longer 
restrain  his  curiosity,  ''  what  an  awful  row  I  heard  here  as 
I  came  up  to  the  door.  I  thought  Bedlam  was  broke  loose. 
What  could  it  have  been  ?  " 

"Ah,  you  heard  it  too,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Webber,  smiling 
most  benignly. 

"  Hear  it  ?  To  be  sure  T  did.  O'Malley  and  I  could  not 
hear  ourselves  talking  with  the  uproar." 


110  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Yes,  indeed,  it  is  very  provoking ;  but  then,  what 's  to 
be  done  ?     One  can't  complain,  under  the  circumstances." 

"  Why,  what  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  Mooney,  anxiously. 

"  Nothing,  sir  ;  nothing.  I  'd  much  rather  you  'd.  not  ask 
me-f  for  after  all,  I  '11  change  my  chambers." 

"  But  why  ?     Explain  this  at  once.     I  insist  upon  it." 

"  Can  I  depend  upon  the  discretion  of  your  you.ng 
friend  ?  "  said  Mr.  Webber,  gravely. 

"Perfectly,"  said  the  doctor,  now  wound  up  to  the  great- 
est anxiety  to  learn  a  secret. 

"And  you'll  promise  not  to  mention  the  thing  except 
among  your  friends  ?  " 

"  I  do,"  said  the  doctor. 

"Well,  then,"  said  he,  in  a  low  and  confident  whisper, 
"it's  the  dean." 

"  The  dean !  "  said  Mooney,  with  a  start.  "  The  dean ! 
Why,  how  can  it  be  the  dean  ?  " 

"  Too  true,"  said  Mr.  Webber,  making  a  sign  of  drinking, 
—  "  too  true,  Doctor.  And  then,  the  moment  he  is  so,  he 
begins  smashing  the  furniture.  Never  was  anything  heard 
like  it.  As  for  me,  as  I  am  now  become  a  reading  man,  I 
must  go  elsewhere." 

Now,  it  so  chanced  that  the  worthy  dean,  who  nlbeit  a 
man  of  most  abstemious  habits,  possessed  a  nose  which,  in 
color  and  development;  was  a  most  unfortunate  witness  to 
call  to  character,  and  as  Mooney  heard  Webber  narrate  cir- 
cumstantially the  frightful  excesses  of  the  great  functionary, 
I  saw  that  something  like  conviction  was  stealing  over  him. 

"  You  '11,  of  course,  never  speak  of  this  except  to  your 
most  intimate  friends,"  said  Webber. 

"Of  course  not,"  said  the  doctor,  as  he  shook  his  hand 
warmly,  and  prepared  to  leave  the  room.  "  O'jMalley,  I 
leave  you  here,"  said  he  ;  "  Webber  and  you  can  talk  over 
your  arrangements." 

Webber  followed  the  doctor  to  the  door,  whispered  some- 
thing in  his  ear,  to  which  the  other  replied,  "  Very  well,  I 
will  write;  but  if  your  father  sends  the  money,  I  must 
insist  — "  The  rest  was  lost  in  protestations  and  profes- 
sions of  the  most  fervent  kind,  amidst  which  the  door  was 
shut,  and  Mr.  Webber  returned  to  the  room. 


DUBLIN. 


Ill 


Short  as  was  the  interspace  from  the  door  without  to  the 
room  within,  it  was  still  ample  enough  to  effect  a  very- 
thorough  and  remarkable  change  in  the  whole  external 
appeai'ance  of  Mr.  Frank  Webber;  for  scarcely  had  the 
oaken  panel  shut  out  the  doctor,  when  he  appeared  no 
longer  the  shy,  timid,  and  silvery-toned  gentleman  of  five 
minutes  before,  but  dashing  boldly  forward,  he  seized  a 
k^y-bugle  that  lay  hid  beneath  a  sofa-cushion  and  blew  a 
tremendous  blast. 


"Come  forth,  ye  demons  of  the  lower  world,"  said  he, 
drawing  a  cloth  from  a  large  table,  and  discovering  the 
figures  of  three  young  men  coiled  up  beneath.  "Come 
forth,  and  fear  not,  most  timorous  freshmen  that  ye  are," 
said  he,  unlocking  a  pantry,  and  liberating  two  others. 
"Gentlemen,  let  me  introduce  to  your  acquaintance  Mr. 
O'Malley.  My  chum,  gentlemen.  Mr.  O'Malley,  that  is 
Harry  Nesbitt,  who  has  been  in  college  since  the  days  of 
old  Perpendicular,  and  numbers  more  cautions  than  any 


112  CHARLES  O'MAXLEY. 

man  who  ever  had  his  name  on  the  books.  Here  is  my 
particular  friend,  Cecil  Cavendish,  the  only  man  who  could 
ever  devil  kidneys.  Captain  Power,  Mr.  O'Malley,  a  dash- 
ing dragoon,  as  you  see  ;  aide-de-camp  to  his  Excellency  the 
Lord  Lieutenant,  and  love-maker-general  to  Merrion  Square 
West.  These,"  said  he,  pointing  to  the  late  denizens  of  the 
pantry,  ''are  jibs  whose  names  are  neither  known  to  the 
proctor  nor  the  police-office  ;  but  with  due  regard  to  their 
education  and  morals,  we  don't  despair." 

"By  no  means,"  said  Power;  "but  come,  let  us  resume 
our  game."  At  these  words  he  took  a  folio  atlas  of  maps 
from  a  small  table,  and  displayed  beneath  a  pack  of  cards, 
dealt  as  if  for  whist.  The  two  gentlemen  to  whom  I  was 
introduced  by  name  returned  to  their  places ;  the  unknown 
two  put  on  their  boxing  gloves,  and  all  resumed  the  hilarity 
which  Dr.  Mooney's  advent  had  so  suddenly  interrupted. 

"  Where 's  Moore  ?  "  said  Webber,  as  he  once  more  seated 
himself  at  his  breakfast. 

"  Making  a  spatch-cock,  sir,"  said  the  servant. 

At  the  same  instant,  a  little,  dapper,  jovial-looking  per- 
sonage appeared  w^ith  the  dish  in  question. 

"Mr.  O'Malley,  Mr.  Moore,  the  gentleman  who,  by  re- 
peated remonstrances  to  the  board,  has  succeeded  in  getting 
eatable  food  for  the  inhabitants  of  this  penitentiary,  and  has 
the  honored  reputation  of  reforming  the  commons  of  college. " 

"  Anything  to  Godfrey  O'Malley,  may  I  ask,  sir  ?  "  said 
Moore. 

"  His  nephew,"  I  replied. 

"  Which  of  you  winged  the  gentleman  the  other  day  for 
not  passing  the  decanter,  or  something  of  that  sort  ?  " 

"  If  you  mean  the  affair  with  Mr.  Bodkin,  it  was  I." 

"  Glorious,  that ;  begad,  I  thought  you  were  one  of  us.  I 
say.  Power,  it  was  he  pinked  Bodkin." 

"  Ah,  indeed,"  said  Power,  not  turning  his  head  from  his 
game ,  "  a  pretty  shot,  I  heard,  —  two  by  honors,  —  and  hit 
him  fairly,  —  the  odd  trick.  Hammersley  mentioned  the 
thing  to  me." 

"  Oh,  is  he  in  town  ?  "  said  I. 

"  No ;  he  sailed  for  Portsmouth  yesterday.  He  is  to  join 
the  11th  —  game.     I  say,  Webber,  you  've  lost  the  rubber." 


DUBLIN.  113 

"  Double  or  quit,  and  a  dinner  at  Dunleary,"  said  Webber. 
"  We  must  show  O'Malley,  —  confound  the  Mister  !  —  some- 
thing of  the  place." 

"  Agreed." 

The  whist  was  resumed ;  the  boxers,  now  refreshed  by  a 
leg  of  the  spatch-cock,  returned  to  their  gloves  ;  Mr.  Moore 
took  up  his  violin ;  Mr.  Webber  his  French  horn ;  and  I  was 
left  the  only  unemployed  man  in  the  company. 

"  I  say,  Power,  you  'd  better  bring  the  drag  over  here  for 
us  ;  we  can  all  go  down  together." 

"  I  must  inform  you,"  said  Cavendish,  "  that,  thanks  to 
your  philanthropic  efforts  of  last  night,  the  passage  from 
Grafton  Street  to  Stephen's  Green  is  impracticable."  A 
tremendous  roar  of  laughter  followed  this  announcement ; 
and  though  at  the  time  the  cause  was  unknown  to  me,  I  may 
as  well  mention  it  here,  as  I  subsequently  learned  it  from 
my  companions. 

Among  the  many  peculiar  tastes  which  distinguished  Mr. 
Francis  Webber  was  an  extraordinary  fancy  for  street- 
begging.  He  had,  over  and  over,  won  large  sums  upon  his 
success  in  that  difficult  walk ;  and  so  perfect  were  his  dis- 
guises, —  both  of  dress,  voice,  and  manner,  —  that  he  actually 
at  one  time  succeeded  in  obtaining  charity  from  his  very  op- 
ponent in  the  Avager.  He  wrote  ballads  with  the  greatest 
facility,  and  sang  them  with  infinite  pathos  and  humor ;  and 
the  old  woman  at  the  corner  of  College  Green  was  certain  of 
an  audience  when  the  severity  of  the  night  would  leave  all 
other  minstrelsy  deserted.  As  these  feats  of  jonglerie 
usually  terminated  in  a  row,  it  was  a  most  amusing  part  of 
the  transaction  to  see  the  singer's  part  taken  by  the  mob 
against  the  college  men,  who,  growing  impatient  to  carry  him 
off  to  supper  somewhere,  would  invariably  be  obliged  to 
have  a  fight  for  the  booty. 

Now  it  chanced  that  a  few  evenings  before,  Mr.  Webber 
was  returning  with  a  pocket  well  lined  with  copper  from  a 
musical  reunion  he  had  held  at  the  corner  of  York  Street, 
when  the  idea  struck  him  to  stop  at  the  end  of  Grafton 
Street,  where  a  huge  stone  grating  at  that  time  exhibited  — 
perhaps  it  exhibits  still  —  the  descent  to  one  of  the  great 
main  sewers  of  the  city. 


114  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

The  light  was  shining  brightly  from  a  pastrycook's  shop, 
and  showed  the  large  bars  of  stone  between  which  the  muddy 
water  was  rushing  rapidly  down  and  plashing  iu  the  torrent 
that  ran  boisterously  several  feet  beneath. 

To  stop  in  the  street  of  any  crowded  city  is,  under  any 
circumstances,  an  invitation  to  others  to  do  likewise  which 
is  rarely  unaccepted ;  but  when  in  addition  to  this  you 
stand  fixedly  in  one  spot  and  regard  with  stern  intensity 
any  object  near  you,  the  chances  are  ten  to  one  that  you 
have  several  companions  in  your  curiosity  before  a  minute 
expires. 

Now,  Webber,  who  had  at  first  stood  still  without  any 
peculiar  thought  in  view,  no  sooner  perceived  that  he  was 
joined  by  others  than  the  idea  of  making  something  out  of 
it  immediately  occurred  to  him. 

"  What  is  it,  agra  ?  "  inquired  an  old  woman,  very  much 
in  his  own  style  of  dress,  pulling  at  the  hood  of  his  cloak. 

"  And  can't  you  see  for  yourself,  darling  ?  "  replied  he, 
sharply,  as  he  knelt  down  and  looked  most  intensely  at  the 
sewer. 

"  Are  ye  long  there,  avick  ?  "  inquired  he  of  an  imaginary 
individual  below,  and  then  waiting  as  if  for  a  reply,  said, 
"  Two  hours !  Blessed  Virgin,  he  's  two  hours  in  the 
drain  ! " 

By  this  time  the  crowd  had  reached  entirely  across  the 
street,  and  the  crushing  and  squeezing  to  get  near  the  im- 
portant spot  was  awful. 

"  Where  did  he  come  from  ?  "  ''  Who  is  he  ?  "  "  How 
did  he  get  there  ?  "  were  questions  on  every  side ;  and  va- 
rious surmises  were  afloat  till  Webber,  rising  from  his  knees, 
said,  in  a  mysterious  whisper,  to  those  nearest  him,  "  He  's 
made  his  escape  to-night  out  o'  Newgate  by  the  big  drain, 
and  lost  his  way ;  he  was  looking  for  the  Lilfey,  and  took 
the  wrong  turn." 

To  an  Irish  mob  what  appeal  could  equal  this  ?  A  cul- 
prit at  any  time  has  his  claim  upon  their  sympathy ;  but  let 
him  be  caught  in  the  very  act  of  cheating  the  authorities 
and  evading  the  law,  and  his  popularity  knows  no  bounds. 
Webber  knew  this  well,  and  as  the  mob  thickened  around 
him  sustained  an  imaginary  conversation  that  Savage  Landor 


DUBLIN.  115 

might  have  envied,  imparting  now  and  then  such  hints  con- 
cerning the  runaway  as  raised  their  interest  to  the  highest 
pitch,  and  fifty  different  versions  were  related  on  all  sides, 
—  of  the  crime  he  was  guilty  of,  the  sentence  that  was  passed 
on  him,  and  the  day  he  was  to  suffer. 

"  Do  you  see  the  light,  dear  ? "  said  Webber,  as  some 
ingeniously  benevolent  individual  had  lowered  down  a  can- 
dle with  a  string,  —  "  do  ye  see  the  light  ?  Oh,  he  's  fainted, 
the  creature  !  "  A  cry  of  horror  burst  forth  from  the  crowd 
at  these  words,  followed  by  a  universal  shout  of,  ''Break 
open  the  street." 

Pickaxes,  shovels,  spades,  and  crowbars  seemed  absolutely 
the  walking  accompaniments  of  the  crowd,  so  suddenly  did 
they  appear  upon  the  field  of  action  ;  and  the  work  of  exhu- 
mation was  begun  with  a  vigor  that  speedily  covered  nearly 
half  of  the  street  with  mud  and  paving-stones.  Parties  re- 
lieved each  other  at  the  task,  and  ere  half  an  hour  a  hole 
capable  of  containing  a  mail-coach  was  yawning  in  one  of 
the  most  frequented  thoroughfares  of  Dublin.  Meanwhile, 
as  no  appearance  of  the  culprit  could  be  had,  dreadful  con- 
jectures as  to  his  fate  began  to  gain  ground.  By  tliis  time 
the  authorities  had  received  intimation  of  what  was  going 
forward,  and  attempted  to  disperse  the  crowd ;  but  Webber, 
who  still  continued  to  conduct  the  prosecution,  called  on 
them  to  resist  the  police  and  save  the  poor  creature.  And 
now  began  a  most  terrific  fray :  the  stones,  forming  a  ready 
weapon,  were  hurled  at  the  unprepared  constables,  who  on 
their  side  fought  manfully,  but  against  superior  numbers ; 
so  that  at  last  it  was  only  by  the  aid  of  a  military  force  the 
mob  could  be  dispersed,  and  a  riot  which  had  assumed  a 
very  serious  character  got  under.  Meanwhile  Webber  had 
reached  his  chambers,  changed  his  costume,  and  was  relating 
over  a  supper-table  the  narrative  of  his  philanthropy  to  a 
very  admiring  circle  of  his  friends. 

Such  was  my  chum,  Frank  Webber;  and  as  this  was  the 
first  anecdote  I  had  heard  of  him,  I  relate  it  here  that  my 
readers  may  be  in  possession  of  the  grounds  upon  which  my 
opinion  of  that  celebrated  character  was  founded,  while  yet 
our  acquaintance  was  in  its  infancy. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

CAPTAIN     POWKB. 

Within  a  few  weeks  after  my  arrival  in  town  I  had  be- 
come a  matriculated  student  of  the  university,  and  the 
possessor  of  chambers  within  its  walls  in  conjunction  with 
the  sage  and  prudent  gentleman  I  have  introduced  to  my 
readers  in  the  last  chapter.  Had  my  intentions  on  entering 
college  been  of  the  most  studious  and  regular  kind,  the  com- 
panion into  whose  society  I  was  then  immediately  thrown 
would  have  quickly  dissipated  them.  He  voted  morning 
chapels  a  bore,  Greek  lectures  a  humbug,  examinations  a 
farce,  and  pronounced  the  statute-book,  with  its  attendant 
train  of  fines  and  punishment,  an  "  unclean  thing."  With 
all  my  country  habits  and  predilections  fresh  upon  me,  that 
I  was  an  easily-won  disciple  to  his  code  need  not  be  won- 
dered at ;  and  indeed  ere  many  days  had  passed  over,  my 
thorough  indifference  to  all  college  rules  and  regulations 
had  given  me  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  Webber  and  his 
friends.  As  for  myself,  I  was  most  agreeably  surprised  to 
find  that  what  I  had  looked  forward  to  as  a  very  melancholy 
banishment,  was  likely  to  prove  a  most  agreeable  sojourn. 
Under  Webber's  directions  there  was  no  hour  of  the  day 
that  hung  heavily  upon  our  hands.  We  rose  about  eleven 
and  breakfasted,  after  which  succeeded  fencing,  sparring, 
billiards,  or  tennis  in  the  park ;  about  three,  got  on  horse- 
back, and  either  cantered  in  the  Phoenix  or  about  the  squares 
till  visiting  time ;  after  which,  made  our  calls,  and  then 
dressed  for  dinner,  which  we  never  thought  of  taking  at  com- 
mons, but  had  it  from  Morrison's,  — we  both  being  reported 
sick  in  the  dean's  list,  and  thereby  exempt  from  the  routine 
fare  of  the  fellows'  table.  In  the  evening  our  occupations 
became  still  more  pressing ;  there  were  balls,  suppers,  Avhist 
parties,  rows  at  the  theatre,  shindies  in  the  street,  devilled 
drumsticks  at  Hayes's,  select  oyster  parties  at  the  Carling- 


CAPTAIN  POWER.  117 

ford. —  in  fact,  every  known  method  of  remaining  up  all  night, 
and  appearing  both  pale  and  penitent  the  following  morning. 

Webber  had  a  large  acquaintance  in  Dublin,  and  soon 
made  me  known  to  them  all.  Among  others,  the  officers  of 
the  — th  Light  Dragoons,  in  which  regiment  Power  was  cap- 
tain, were  his  particular  friends ;  and  we  had  frequent  invi- 
tations to  dine  at  their  mess.  There  it  was  first  that  military 
life  presented  itself  to  me  in  its  most  attractive  possible 
form,  and  heightened  the  passion  I  had  already  so  strongly 
conceived  for  the  army.  Power,  above  all  others,  took  my 
fancy.  He  was  a  gay,  dashing-looking,  handsome  fellow  of 
about  eight-and-twenty,  who  had  already  seen  some  service, 
having  joined  while  his  regiment  was  in  Portugal ;  was  in 
heart  and  soul  a  soldier ;  and  had  that  species  of  pride  and 
enthusiasm  in  all  that  regarded  a  military  career  that  forms 
no  small  part  of  the  charm  in  the  character  of  a  young 
officer. 

I  sat  near  him  the  second  day  we  dined  at  the  mess,  and 
was  much  pleased  at  many  slight  attentions  in  his  manner 
towards  me. 

"  I  called  on  you  to-day,  Mr.  O'lMalley,"  said  he,  "  in  com- 
pany with  a  friend  who  is  most  anxious  to  see  you." 

"  Indeed,"  said  I,  "  I  did  not  hear  of  it." 

"  We  left  no  cards,  either  of  us,  as  we  were  determined  to 
make  you  out  on  another  day;  my  companion  has  most 
urgent  reasons  for  seeing  you.  I  see  you  are  puzzled,"  said 
he ;  "  and  although  I  promised  to  keep  his  secret,  I  must 
blab.  It  was  Sir  George  Dashwood  was  with  me ;  he  told 
us  of  your  most  romantic  adventure  in  the  west,  —  and  faith 
there  is  no  doubt  you  saved  the  lady's  life." 

"  Was  she  worth  the  trouble  of  it  ?  "  said  the  old  major, 
whose  conjugal  experiences  imparted  a  very  crusty  tone  to 
the  question. 

"  I  think,"  said  I,  "  I  need  only  tell  her  name  to  convince 
you  of  it." 

"  Here 's  a  bumper  to  her,"  said  Power,  filling  his  glass  ; 
"and  every  true  man  will  follow  my  example." 

When  the  hip-hipping  which  followed  the  toast  was  over, 
I  found  myself  enjoying  no  small  share  of  the  attention  of 
the  party  as  the  deliverer  of  Lucy  Dashwood. 


118  CHARLES  O'M^VLLEY. 

"  Sir  George  is  cudgelling  liis  brain  to  show  his  gratitude 
to  you,"  said  Power. 

"What  a  pity,  for  the  sake  of  his  peace  of  mind,  that 
you  're  not  in  the  army,"  said  another ;  "  it 's  so  easy  to  show 
a  man  a  delicate  regard  by  a  quick  promotion." 

"  A  devil  of  a  pity  for  his  own  sake,  too,"  said  Power, 
again  ;  "  they  're  going  to  make  a  lawyer  of  as  strapping  a 
fellow  as  ever  carried  a  sabretasche." 

"  A  lawyer !  "  cried  out  half  a  dozen  together,  pretty  much 
with  the  same  tone  and  emphasis  as  though  he  had  said  a 
twopenny  postman ;  "  the  devil  they  are." 

"  Cut  the  service  at  once ;  you  '11  get  no  promotion  in  it," 
said  the  colonel ;  "  a  fellow  with  a  black  eye  like  you  would 
look  much  better  at  the  head  of  a  squadron  than  of  a  string 
of  witnesses.  Trust  me,  you  'd  shine  more  in  conducting 
a  picket  than  a  prosecution." 

"  But  if  I  can't  ?  "  said  I. 

"Then  take  my  plan,"  said  Power,  "and  make  it  cut 
you.'' 

"Yours  ?  "  said  two  or  three  in  a  breath,  —  "yours  ?  " 

"  Ay,  mine ;  did  you  never  know  that  I  was  bred  to  the 
bar?  Come,  come,  if  it  was  only  for  O'Malley's  use  and 
benefit,  as  we  say  in  the  parchments,  I  must  tell  you  the 
story." 

The  claret  was  pushed  briskly  round,  chairs  drawn  up  to 
fill  any  vacant  spaces,  and  Power  began  his  story. 

"As  I  am  not  over  long-winded,  don't  be  scared  at  my 
beginning  my  history  somewhat  far  back.  I  began  life  that 
most  unlucky  of  all  earthly  contrivances  for  supplying  casu- 
alties in  case  anything  may  befall  the  heir  of  the  house,  —  a 
species  of  domestic  jury-mast,  only  lugged  out  in  a  gale  of 
wind,  —  a  younger  son.  My  brother  Tom,  a  thick-skulled, 
pudding-headed  dog,  that  had  no  taste  for  anything  save  his 
dinner,  took  it  into  his  wise  head  one  morning  that  he  would 
go  into  the  army,  and  although  I  had  been  originally  des- 
tined for  a  soldier,  no  sooner  was  his  choice  made  than  all 
regard  for  my  taste  and  inclination  was  forgotten ;  and  as 
the  family  interest  was  only  enough  for  one,  it  was  decided 
that  I  should  be  put  in  what  is  called  a  'learned  profession,' 
and  let  push  my  fortune.    '  Take  your  choice,  Dick,'  said  my 


CAPTAIN  POWER.  119 

father,  with  a  most  benign  smile,  —  'take  your  choice,  boy: 
will  you  be  a  lawyer,  a  parson,  or  a  doctor  ? ' 

"  Had  he  said,  '  Will  you  be  put  in  the  stocks,  the  pil- 
lory, or  publicly  whipped  ? '  I  could  not  have  looked  more 
blank  than  at  the  question. 

"  As  a  decent  Protestant,  he  should  have  grudged  me  to 
the  Church ;  as  a  philanthropist,  he  might  have  scrupled  at 
making  me  a  physician  ;  but  as  he  had  lost  deeply  by  law- 
suits, there  looked  something  very  like  a  lurking  malice  in 
sending  me  to  the  bar.  Now,  so  far,  I  concurred  with  him ; 
for  having  no  gift  for  enduring  either  sermons  or  senna,  I 
thought  I  'd  make  a  bad  administrator  of  either,  and  as  I 
was  ever  regarded  in  the  family  as  rather  of  a  shrewd  and 
quick  turn,  with  a  very  natural  taste  for  roguery,  I  began 
to  believe  he  was  right,  and  that  Nature  intended  me  for 
the  circuit. 

"From  the  hour  my  vocation  was  pronounced,  it  had 
been  happy  for  the  family  that  they  could  have  got  rid 
of  me.  A  certain  ambition  to  rise  in  my  profession  laid 
hold  on  me,  and  I  meditated  all  day  and  night  how  I  was 
to  get  on.  Every  trick,  every  subtle  invention  to  cheat  the 
enemy  that  I  could  read  of,  I  treasured  up  carefully,  being 
fully  impressed  with  the  notion  that  roguery  meant  law, 
and  equity  was  only  another  name  for  odd  and  even. 

"  My  days  were  spent  haranguing  special  juries  of  house- 
maids and  laundresses,  cross-examining  the  cook,  charging 
the  under-butler,  and  passing  sentence  of  death  upon  the 
pantry  boy,  who,  I  may  add,  was  invariably  hanged  when 
the  court  rose. 

"  If  the  mutton  were  overdone,  or  the  turkey  burned,  I 
drew  up  an  indictment  against  old  Margaret,  and  against 
the'  kitchen-maid  as  accomplice,  and  the  family  hungered 
while  I  harangued ;  and,  in  fact,  into  such  disrepute  did  I 
bring  the  legal  profession,  by  the  score  of  annoj^ance  of 
which  I  made  it  the  vehicle,  that  my  father  got  a  kind 
of  holy  horror  of  law  courts,  judges,  and  crown  solicitors, 
and  absented  himself  from  the  assizes  the  same  year,  for 
which,  being  a  high  sheriff,  he  paid  a  penalty  of  five  hun- 
dred pounds. 

"  The  next  day  I  was  sent  off  in  disgrace  to  Dublin  to 


120  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

begin  my  career  in  college,  and  eat  the  usual  quartos  and 
folios  of  beef  and  mutton  which  qualify  a  man  for  the 
woolsack. 

"Years  rolled  over,  in  which,  after  an  ineffectual  effort 
to  get  through  college,  the  only  examination  I  ever  got 
being  a  jubilee  for  the  king's  birthday,  I  was  at  length 
called  to  the  Irish  bar,  and  saluted  by  my  friends  as  Coun- 
sellor Power.  The  whole  thing  was  so  like  a  joke  to  me 
that  it  kept  me  in  laughter  for  three  terms  ;  and  in  fact 
it  was  the  best  thing  could  happen  me,  for  I  had  nothing 
else  to  do.  The  hall  of  the  Four  Courts  was  a  very  pleas- 
ant lounge ;  plenty  of  agreeable  fellows  that  never  earned 
sixpence  or  were  likely  to  do  so.  Then  the  circuits  were 
so  many  country  excursions,  that  supplied  fun  of  one  kind 
or  other,  but  no  profit.  As  for  me,  I  was  what  was  called 
a  good  junior.  I  knew  how  to  look  after  the  waiters,  to 
inspect  the  decanting  of  the  wine  and  the  airing  of  the 
claret,  and  was  always  attentive  to  the  father  of  the  cir- 
cuit, —  the  crossest  old  villain  that  ever  was  a  king's  coun- 
sel. These  eminent  qualities,  and  my  being  able  to  sing 
a  song  in  honor  of  our  own  bar,  were  recommendations 
enough  to  make  me  a  favorite,  and  I  was  one. 

"Now,  the  reputation  I  obtained  was  pleasant  enough 
at  first,  but  I  began  to  wonder  that  I  never  got  a  brief. 
Somehow,  if  it  rained  civil  bills  or  declarations,  devil  a 
one  would  fall  upon  my  head ;  and  it  seemed  as  if  the 
only  object  I  had  in  life  was  to  accompany  the  circuit, 
a  kind  of  deputy-assistant  commissary-general,  never  ex- 
pected to  come  into  action.  To  be  sure,  I  was  not  alone 
in  misfortune  ;  there  were  several  promising  youths,  who 
cut  great  figures  in  Trinity,  in  the  same  predicament,  the 
only  difference  being,  that  they  attributed  to  jealousy  what 
I  suspected  was  forgetfulness,  for  I  don't  think  a  single 
attorney  in  Dublin  kneAv  one  of  us. 

"'  Two  years  passed  over,  and  then  I  walked  the  hall  with 
a  bag  filled  with  newspapers  to  look  like  briefs,  and  was 
regularly  called  by  two  or  three  criers  from  one  court  to 
the  other.  It  never  took.  Even  when  I  used  to  seduce  a 
country  friend  to  visit  the  courts,  and  get  him  into  an  ani- 
mated conversation  in  a  corner  between  two  pillars,  devil 


CAPTAIN  PO^VER.  121 

a  one  would  believe  him  to  be  a  client,  and  I  was  fairly- 
nonplussed. 

"  '  How  is  a  man  ever  to  distinguish  himself  in  such  a 
walk  as  this  ? '  was  my  eternal  question  to  myself  every 
morning,  as  I  put  on  my  wig,  *  My  face  is  as  well  known 
here  as  Lord  Manners's.'  Every  one  says,  '  How  are  you, 
Dick  ? '  *  How  goes  it,  Power  ?  '  But  except  Holmes,  that 
said  one  morning  as  he  passed  me,  '  Eh,  always  busy  ? '  no 
one  alludes  to  the  possibility  of  my  having  anything  to  do. 

"  *  If  I  could  only  get  a  footing,'  thought  I,  '  Lord,  how 
I  'd  astonish  them  !    As  the  song  says  :  — 

"  Perhaps  a  recruit 
Might  chance  to  shoo 

Great  General  Buonaparte." 

So,'  said  I  to  myself,  '  I  '11  make  these  halls  ring  for  it  some 
day  or  other,  if  the  occasion  ever  present  itself.'  But,  faith, 
it  seemed  as  if  some  cunning  solicitor  overheard  me  and 
told  his  associates,  for  they  avoided  me  like  a  leprosy.  The 
home  circuit  I  had  adopted  for  some  time  past,  for  the  very 
palpable  reason  that  being  near  town  it  was  least  costly, 
and  it  had  all  the  advantages  of  any  other  for  me  in  getting 
me  nothing  to  do.  Well,  one  morning  we  were  in  Philips- 
town  ;  I  was  lying  awake  in  bed,  thinking  how  long  it  would 
be  before  I  'd  sum  up  resolution  to  cut  the  bar,  where  cer- 
tainly my  prospects  were  not  the  most  cheering,  when  some 
one  tapped  gently  at  my  door. 

"  '  Come  in,'  said  I. 

"  The  waiter  opened  gently,  and  held  out  his  hand  with 
a  large  roll  of  paper  tied  round  with  a  piece  of  red  tape. 

"  '  Counsellor,'  said  he,  *  handsel.' 

" '  What  do  you  mean  ? '  said  I,  jumping  out  of  bed. 
*  What  is  it,  you  villain  ?  ' 

" '  A  brief.' 

"  *  A  brief.  So  I  see  ;  but  it 's  for  Counsellor  Kinshella, 
below  stairs.'    That  was  the  first  name  written  on  it. 

'' '  Bethershin,'  said  he,  '  Mr.  M'Grath  bid  me  give  it  to 
you  carefully.' 

''By  this  time  I  had  opened  the  envelope  and  read  my 
own  name  at  full  length  as  junior  counsel  in  the  impor' 


122  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

tant  case  of  Monaghan  v.  M'Shean,  to  be  tried  in  tlie  Eecord 
Court  at  Ballinasloe.  '  That  will  do/  said  I,  flinging  it  on 
the  bed  with  a  careless  air,  as  if  it  were  a  very  every-day 
matter  with  me. 

"  '■  But  Counsellor,  darlin',  give  us  a  thrifle  to  dhrink  your 
health  with  your  first  cause,  and  the  Lord  send  you  plenty 
of  them  ! ' 

"  '  My  first,'  said  I,  with  a  smile  of  most  ineffable  com- 
passion at  his  simplicity  ;  '  I  'm  worn  out  with  them.  Do 
you  know,  Peter,  I  was  thinking  seriously  of  leaving  the 
bar,  when  you  came  into  the  room  ?  Upon  my  conscience, 
it 's  in  earnest  I  am.' 

"  Peter  believed  me,  I  think,  for  I  saw  him  give  a  very 
peculiar  look  as  he  pocketed  his  half-crown  and  left  the 
room. 

"  The  door  was  scarcely  closed  when  I  gave  way  to  the 
free  transport  of  my  ecstasy ;  there  it  lay  at  last,  the  long 
looked-for,  long  wished-for  object  of  all  my  happiness,  and 
though  I  well  knew  that  a  junior  counsel  has  about  as  much 
to  do  in  the  conducting  of  a  case  as  a  rusty  handspike  has 
in  a  naval  engagement,  yet  I  suffered  not  such  thoughts  to 
mar  the  current  of  my  happiness.  There  was  my  name  in 
conjunction  with  the  two  mighty  leaders  on  the  circuit ;  and 
though  they  each  pocketed  a  hundred,  I  doubt  very  much  if 
they  received  their  briefs  with  one  half  the  satisfaction. 
My  joy  at  length  a  little  subdued,  I  opened  the  roll  of 
paper  and  began  carefully  to  peruse  about  fifty  pages  of 
narrative  regarding  a  watercourse  that  once  had  turned  a 
mill ;  but,  from  some  reasons  doubtless  known  to  itself  or 
its  friends,  would  do  so  no  longer,  and  thus  set  two  respect- 
able neighbors  at  loggerheads,  and  involved  them  in  a 
record  that  had  been  now  heard  three  several  times. 

"  Quite  forgetting  the  subordinate  part  I  was  destined  to 
fill,  I  opened  the  case  in  a  most  flowery  oration,  in  which 
I  descanted  upon  the  benefits  accruing  to  mankind  from 
water-communication  since  the  days  of  Noah  ;  remarking 
upon  the  antiquity  of  mills,  and  especially  of  millers,  and 
consumed  half  an  hour  in  a  preamble  of  generalities  that  I 
hoped  would  make  a  very  consideral)le  impression  upon  the 
court.     Just  at  the  critical  moment  when  I  was  about  to 


CAPTAIN  PG^^^:K.  123 

enter  more  particularly  into  the  case,  three  or  four  of  the 
great  unbriefed  came  rattling  into  my  room,  and  broke  in 
upon  the  oration. 

"  '  I  say,  Power,'  said  one,  '  come  and  have  an  hour's 
skating  on  the  canal ;  the  courts  are  tilled,  and  we  sha'  n't 
be  missed.' 

" '  Skate,  my  dear  friend,'  said  I,  in  a  most  dolorous  tone, 
*out  of  the  question ;  see,  I  am  chained  to  a  devilish  knotty 
case  with  Kinshella  and  Mills.' 

"  '  Confound  your  humbugging,'  said  another,  '  that  may 
do  very  well  in  Dublin  for  the  attorneys,  but  not  with  us.' 

"  '  I  don't  well  understand  you,'  I  replied ;  '  there  is  the 
brief.  Hennesy  expects  me  to  report  upon  it  this  evening, 
and  I  am  so  hurried.' 

"  Here  a  very  chorus  of  laughing  broke  forth,  in  which, 
after  several  vain  efforts  to  resist,  I  was  forced  to  join,  and 
kept  it  up  with  the  others. 

"  When  our  mirth  was  over,  my  friends  scrutinized  the 
red-tape-tied  packet,  and  pronounced  it  a  real  brief,  with  a 
degree  of  surprise  that  certainly  augured  little  for  their 
familiarity  with  such  objects  of  natural  history. 

"  When  they  had  left  the  room,  I  leisurely  examined  the 
all-important  document,  spreading  it  out  before  me  upon 
the  table,  and  surveying  it  as  a  newly-anointed  sovereign 
might  be  supposed  to  contemplate  a  map  of  his  dominions. 

"  'At  last,'  said  I  to  myself, —  'at  last,  and  here  is  the 
footstep  to  the  woolsack.'  For  more  than  an  hour  I  sat 
motionless,  my  eyes  fixed  upon  the  outspread  paper,  lost 
in  a  very  maze  of  revery.  The  ambition  which  disappoint- 
ments had  crushed,  and  delay  had  chilled,  came  suddenly 
back,  and  all  my  day-dreams  of  legal  success,  my  cherished 
aspirations  after  silk  gowns  and  patents  of  precedence, 
rushed  once  more  upon  me,  and  I  was  resolved  to  do  or  die. 
Alas,  a  very  little  reflection  sliowed  me  that  the  latter  was 
perfectly  practicable  ;  but  that,  as  a  junior  counsel,  live 
minutes  of  very  common-place  recitation  was  all  my  prov- 
ince,'and  with  the  main  business  of  the  day  I  had  about 
as  much  to  do  as  the  call-boy  of  a  playhouse  has  with  the 
success  of  a  tragedy. 

" '  My  Lord,  this  is  an  action  brought  by  Timothy  Hig- 


124  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

gin/  etc.,  and  down  I  go,  no  more  to  be  remembered  and 
thought  of  than  if  I  had  never  existed.  How  different  it 
would  be  if  I  were  the  leader !  Zounds,  how  I  would 
worry  the  witnesses,  browbeat  the  evidence,  cajole  the  jury, 
and  soften  the  judges  !  If  the  Lord  were,  in  His  mercy,  to 
remove  old  IVIills  and  Kinshella  before  Tuesday,  who  knows 
but  my  fortune  might  be  made  ?  This  supposition  once 
started,  set  me  speculating  upon  all  the  possible  chances 
that  might  cut  off  two  king's  counsel  in  three  days,  and 
left  me  fairly  convinced  that  my  own  elevation  was  certain, 
were  they  only  removed  from  my  path. 

"  For  two  whole  days  the  thought  never  left  my  mind ; 
and  on  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  I  sat  moodily  over 
my  pint  of  port,  in  the  Clonbrock  Arms,  with  my  friend 
Timothy  Casey,  Captain  in  the  North  Cork  Militia,  for  my 
companion. 

"  '  Dick,'  said  Tim,  *  take  off  your  wine,  man.  When  does 
this  confounded  trial  come  on  ?  ' 

" '  To-morrow,'  said  I,  with  a  deep  groan. 

" '  Well,  well,  and  if  it  does,  Avhat  matter  ? '  he  said ; 
'you  '11  do  well  enough,  never  be  afraid.' 

"  '  Alas  ! '  said  I,  '  you  don't  understand  the  cause  of  my 
depression.'  I  here  entered  upon  an  account  of  my  sorrows, 
which  lasted  for  above  an  hour,  and  only  concluded  just  as 
a  tremendous  noise  in  the  street  without  announced  an 
arrival.  For  several  minutes  such  was  the  excitement  in 
the  house,  such  running  hither  and  thither,  such  confusion, 
and  such  hubbub,  that  we  could  not  make  out  who  had 
arrived. 

"  At  last  a  door  opened  quite  near  us,  and  we  saw  the 
waiter  assisting  a  very  portly -looking  gentleman  off  with  his 
great-coat,  assuring  him  the  while  that  if  he  would  only 
walk  into  the  coffee-room  for  ten  minutes,  the  fire  in  his 
apartment  should  be  got  ready.  The  stranger  accordingly 
entered  and  seated  himself  at  the  fireplace,  having  never 
noticed  that  Casey  and  myself,  the  only  persons  there, 
were  in  the  room. 

"  'I  say,  Phil,  who  is  he  ?'  inqiiired. Casey  of  the  waiter. 

" '  Counsellor  Mills,  Captain,'  said  the  waiter,  and  left  the 
room. 


CAPTAIN  POWER.  125 

"  *  That 's  your  friend,'  said  Casey. 

"*I  see,'  said  I;  'and  I  wish  with  all  my  heart  he  was 
at  home  with  his  pretty  wife,  in  Leeson  Street.' 

" '  Is  she  good-looking  ? '  inquired  Tiiru 

" '  Devil  a  better,'  said  I ;  '  and  he 's  as  jealous  as  old 
Nick.' 

"  '  Hem,'  said  Tim,  '  mind  your  cue,  and  I  '11  give  him  a 
start.'  Here  he  suddenly  changed  his  whispering  tone  for 
one  in  a  louder  key,  and  resumed :  '  I  say.  Power,  it  will 
make  some  work  for  ;you  lawyers.  But  who  can  she  be  ? 
that 's  the  question.'  Here  he  took  a  much  crumpled  letter 
from  his  pocket,  and  pretended  to  read :  '  "  A  great  sensa- 
tion was  created  in  the  neighborhood  of  JVIerrion  Square, 
yesterday,  by  the   sudden  disappearance  from   her  house 

of  the  handsome  Mrs. ."   Confound  it !  —  what 's  the 

name  ?  What  a  hand  he  writes  !  Hill,  or  Miles,  or  some- 
thing like  that,  —  "  the  lady  of  an  eminent  barrister,  now  on 
circuit.     The  gay  Lothario  is,  they  say,  the  Hon.  George 

." '     I  was  so  thunderstruck  at   the   rashness  of  the 

stroke,  I  could  say  nothing ;  while  the  old  gentleman 
started  as  if  he  had  sat  down  on  a  pin.  Casey,  meanwhile, 
went  on. 

" '  Hell  and  fury  ! '  said  the  king's  counsel,  rushing  over, 
'  what  is  it  you  're  saying  ? ' 

"  *  You  appear  warm,  old  gentleman,'  said  Casey,  putting 
up  the  letter  and  rising  from  the  table. 

"'Show  me  that  letter!  —  show  me  that  infernal  letter, 
sir,  this  instant ! ' 

"  '  Show  you  my  letter,'  said  Casey  ;  '  cool,  that,  anyhow. 
You  are  certainly  a  good  one.' 

" '  Do  you  know  me,  sir  ?  Answer  me  that,'  said  the 
lawyer,  bursting  with  passion. 

"  *  Not  at  present,'  said  Tim,  quietly ;  '  but  I  hope  to  do 
so  in  the  morning  in  explanation  of  your  language  and  con- 
duct.' A  tremendous  ringing  of  the  bell  here  summoned 
the  waiter  to  the  room. 

"" '  Who  is  that  — '  inquired  the  lawyer.  The  epithet  he 
judged  it  safe  to  leave  unsaid,  as  he  pointed  to  my  friend 
Casey. 

"  *  Captain  Casey,  sir,  the  commanding  ofi8.cer  here.' 


126  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  '  Just  so,'  said  Casey.  *  And  very  inucli  at  your  service 
any  hour  after  five  in  the  morning.' 

"  *  Tlien  you  refuse,  sir,  to  explain  tlae  paragraph  I  have 
just  heard  you  read  ? ' 

"  '  Well  done,  old  gentleman  ;  so  you  have  been  listening 
to  a  private  conversation  I  held  with  my  friend  here.  In 
that  case  we  had  better  retire  to  our  room.'  So  saying,  he 
ordered  the  waiter  to  send  a  fresh  bottle  and  glasses  to  No. 
14,  and  taking  my  arm,  very  politely  wished  Mr.  Mills  good- 
night, and  left  the  coffee-room. 

"  Before  we  had  reached  the  top  of  the  stairs  the  house  was 
once  more  in  commotion.  The  new  arrival  had  ordered  out 
fresh  horses,  and  was  hurrying  every  one  in  his  impatience 
to  get  away.  In  ten  minutes  the  chaise  rolled  off  from  the 
door  ;  and  Casey,  putting  his  head  out  of  the  window,  wished 
him  a  pleasant  journey  ;  while  turning  to  me,  he  said,  — 

"  *  There  's  one  of  them  out  of  the  way  for  you,  if  we  are 
even  obliged  to  fight  the  other.' 

"  The  port  was  soon  despatched,  and  with  it  went  all  the 
scruples  of  conscience  I  had  at  first  felt  for  the  cruel  ruse 
we  had  just  practised.  Scarcely  was  the  other  bottle  called 
for  when  we  heard  the  landlord  calling  out  in  a  stentorian 
voice,  — 

" '  Two  horses  for  Goran  Bridge  to  meet  Counsellor 
Kinshella.' 

" '  That 's  the  other  fellow  ? '  said  Casey. 

"  '  It  is,'  said  I. 

"'Then  we  must  be  stirring,'  said  he.  'Waiter,  chaise 
and  pair  in  five  minutes,  —  d'ye  hear  ?  Power,  my  boy,  I 
don't  Avant  you ;  stay  here  and  study  your  brief.  It 's 
little  trouble  Counsellor  Kinshella  will  give  you  in  the 
morning.' 

"All  he  would  tell  me  of  his  plans  was  that  he  didn't 
mean  any  serious  bodily  harm  to  the  counsellor,  but  that 
certainly  he  was  not  likely  to  be  heard  of  for  twenty-four 
hours. 

" '  Meanwhile,  Power,  go  in  and  win,  my  boy,'  said  he ; 
*  such  another  walk  over  may  never  occur.' 

"I  must  not  make  my  story  longer.  The  next  morning 
the  great  record  of  ]\Ionaghau  v.  M'Shean  was  called  on.; 


CAPTAIN  POWER.  127 

and  as  the  senior  counsel  were  not  present,  the  attorney 
wished  a  postponement.  I,  however,  was  firni ;  told  the 
court  I  was  quite  prepared,  and  with  such  an  air  of  assur- 
ance that  I  actually  puzzled  the  attorney.  The  case  was 
accordingly  opened  by  me  in  a  very  brilliant  speech,  and 
the  witnesses  called  ;  but  such  was  my  unlucky  ignorance 
of  the  whole  matter  that  I  actually  broke  down  the  testi- 
mony of  our  own,  and  fought  like  a  Trojan  for  the  credit 
and  character  of  the  perjurers  against  us  !  The  judge 
rubbed  his  eyes  ;  the  jury  looked  amazed ;  and  the  whole 
bar  laughed  outright.  However,  on  I  went,  blundering, 
floundering,  and  foundering  at  every  step  ;  and  at  half-past 
four,  amidst  the  greatest  and  most  uproarious  mirth  of  the 
whole  court,  heard  the  jury  deliver  a  verdict  against  us,  just 
as  old  Kinshella  rushed  into  the  court  covered  with  mud 
and  spattered  with  clay.  He  had  been  sent  for  twenty  miles 
to  make  a  will  for  Mr.  Daly,  of  Daly's  IVIount,  who  was  sup- 
posed to  be  at  the  point  of  death,  but  who,  on  his  arrival, 
threatened  to  shoot  him  for  causing  an  alarm  to  his  family 
by  such  an  imputation. 

"  The  rest  is  soon  told.  They  moved  for  a  new  trial,  and 
I  moved  out  of  the  profession.  I  cut  the  bar,  for  it  cut  me. 
I  joined  the  gallant  14th  as  a  volunteer ;  and  here  I  am  with- 
out a  single  regret,  I  must  confess,  that  I  did  n't  succeed  in 
the  great  record  of  Monaghan  v.  M'Shean." 

Once  more  the  claret  Avent  briskly  round,  and  while  we 
canvassed  Power's  story,  many  an  anecdote  of  military  life 
was  told,  as  every  instant  increased  the  charm  of  that  career 
I  longed  for. 

"Another  cooper,  Major,"  said  Power. 

"With  all  my  heart,"  said  the  rosy  little  officer,  as  he 
touched  the  bell  behind  him  ;  "  and  now  let 's  have  a 
song." 

"  Yes,  Power,"  said  three  or  four  together ;  "  let  us  have 
*The  Irish  Dragoon,'  if  it's  only  to  convert  your  friend 
0':.[alley  there." 

"  Here  goes,  then,"  said  Dick,  taking  off  a  bumper  as  he 
began  the  following  chant  to  the  air  of  "  Love  is  the  Soul  of 
a  gay  Irishman"  :  — 


128  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 


THE  IRISH  DRAGOON. 

Oh,  love  is  the  soul  of  an  Irish  dragoon 
In  battle,  in  bivouac,  or  in  saloon. 

From  the  tip  of  his  spur  to  his  bright  sabretasche. 
With  his  soldierly  gait  and  his  bearing  so  high. 
His  gay  laughing  look  and  his  light  speaking  eye, 
He  frowns  at  his  rival,  he  ogles  his  wench, 
He  springs  in  his  saddle  and  chasses  the  French, 

With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 

His  spirits  are  high,  and  he  little  knows  care. 
Whether  sipping  his  claret  or  charging  a  square, 

With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 
As  ready  to  sing  or  to  skirmish  he 's  found. 
To  take  off  his  wine  or  to  take  up  his  ground  ; 
When  the  bugle  may  call  him,  how  little  he  fears 
To  charge  forth  in  column  and  beat  the  Mounseers, 

With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 

When  the  battle  is  over,  he  gayly  rides  back 
To  cheer  every  soul  in  the  night  bivouac, 

With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  Ijright  sabretasche. 
Oh,  there  you  may  see  him  in  full  glory  crowned, 
As  he  sits  'midst  his  friends  on  the  hardly  won  ground, 
And  hear  with  what  feeling  the  toast  he  will  give, 
As  he  drinks  to  the  land  where  all  Irishmen  live. 

With  his  jingling  spur  and  his  bright  sabretasche. 

It  was  late  when  we  broke  up ;  but  among  all  the  recol- 
lections of  that  pleasant  evening  none  clung  to  me  so  forci- 
bly, none  sank  so  deeply  in  my  heart,  as  the  gay  and  careless 
tone  of  Power's  manly  voice ;  and  as  I  fell  asleep  towards 
morning,  the  Avords  of  "  The  Irish  Dragoon "  were  floating 
through  my  mind  and  followed  me  in  my  dreams. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE     VICE-PROVOST. 

I  HAD  now  been  for  some  weeks  a  resident  within  the 
walls  of  the  university,  and  yet  had  never  presented  my 
letter  of  introduction  to  Dr.  Barret.  Somehow,  my  thoughts 
and  occupations  had  left  nie  little  leisure  to  reflect  upon  my 
college  course,  and  I  had  not  felt  the  necessity  suggested 
by  ray  friend  Sir  Harry,  of  having  a  supporter  in  the  very 
learned  and  gifted  individual  to  whom  I  was  accredited. 
How  long  I  might  have  continued  in  this  state  of  indiffer- 
ence it  is  hard  to  say,  when  chance  brought  about  my 
acquaintance  with  the  doctor. 

Were  I  not  inditing  a  true  history  in  this  narrative  of 
my  life,  to  the  events  and  characters  of  which  so  many  are 
living  witnesses,  I  should  certainly  fear  to  attempt  anything 
like  a  description  of  this  very  remarkable  man ;  so  liable 
would  any  sketch,  however  faint  and  imperfect,  be  to  the 
accusation  of  caricature,  when  all  was  so  singular  and  so 
eccentric. 

Dr.  Barret  was,  at  the  time  I  speak  of,  close  upon  seventy 
years  of  age,  scarcely  five  feet  in  height,  and  even  that 
diminutive  stature  lessened  by  a  stoop.  His  face  was  thin, 
pointed,  and  russet-colored ;  his  nose  so  aquiline  as  nearly 
to  meet  his  projecting  chin,  and  his  small  gray  eyes,  red  and 
bleary,  peered  beneath  his  well-worn  cap  with  a  glance  of 
mingled  fear  and  suspicion.  His  dress  was  a  suit  of  the 
rustiest  black,  threadbare,  and  patched  in  several  places, 
while  a  pair  of  large  brown  leather  slippers,  far  too  big  for 
his  feet,  imparted  a  sliding  motion  to  his  walk  that  added 
an  air  of  indescribable  meanness  to  his  appearance ;  a  gown 
that  had  been  worn  for  twenty  years,  browned  and  coated 
with  the  learned  dust  of  the  Fagel,  covered  his  rusty  habil- 
iments, and  completed  the  equipments  of  a  figiu-e  that  it 
was  somewhat  difl&cult  for  the  young  student  to  recognize 

TOL.  I.  —  9 


130  CHAKLES  0'MAI.LEY. 

as  the  vice-provost  of  the  university.  Such  was  he  in 
externals.  Within,  a  greater  or  more  profound  scliolar 
never  graced  the  walls  of  the  college ;  a  distinguished 
Grecian,  learned  in  all  the  refinements  of  a  hundred  dia- 
lects ;  a  deep  Orientalist,  cunning  in  all  the  varieties  of 
Eastern  languages,  and  able  to  reason  with  a  Moonshee,  or 
chat  with  a  Persian  ambassador.  With  a  mind  that  never 
ceased  acquiring,  he  possessed  a  memory  ridiculous  for  its 
retentiveness,  even  of  trifles ;  no  character  in  history,  no 
event  in  chronology  was  unknown  to  him,  and  he  was  re- 
ferred to  by  his  contemporaries  for  information  in  doubtful 
and  disputed  cases,  as  men  consult  a  lexicon  or  dictionary. 
With  an  intellect  thus  stored  with  deep  and  far-sought 
knowledge,  in  the  affairs  of  the  world  he  was  a  child.  With- 
out the  walls  of  the  college,  for  above  forty  years,  he  had 
not  ventured  half  as  many  times,  and  knew  absolutely 
nothing  of  the  busy,  active  world  that  fussed  and  fumed  so 
near  him  ;  his  farthest  excursion  was  to  the  Bank  of  Ireland, 
to  which  he  made  occasional  visits  to  fund  the  ample  income 
of  his  office,  and  add  to  the  wealth  which  already  had 
acquired  for  him  a  well-merited  repute  of  being  the  richest 
man  in  college. 

His  little  intercourse  with  the  world  had  left  him,  in  all 
his  habits  and  manners,  in  every  respect  exactly  as  when 
he  entered  college  nearly  half  a  century  before ;  and  as  he 
had  literally  risen  from  the  ranks  in  the  university,  all  the 
peculiarities  of  voice,  accent,  and  pronunciation  which  dis- 
tinguished him  as  a  youth,  adhered  to  him  in  old  age.  This 
was  singular  enough,  and  formed  a  very  ludicrous  contrast 
with  the  learned  and  deep-read  tone  of  his  conversation; 
but  another  peculiarity,  still  more  striking,  belonged  to  him. 
When  he  became  a  felloAv,  he  was  obliged,  by  the  rules  of 
the  college,  to  take  holy  orders  as  a  sine  qua  non  to  his 
holding  his  fellowship.  This  he  did,  as  he  would  have  as- 
sumed a  red  hood  or  blue  one,  as  bachelor  of  laws  or  doctor 
of  medicine,  and  thought  no  more  of  it;  but  frequently, 
in  his  moments  of  passionate  excitement,  the  venerable 
character  with  which  he  was  invested  was  quite  forgotten, 
and  he  would  utter  some  sudden  and  terrific  oath,  more 
productive  of  mirth  to  his  auditors  than  was  seemly,  and 


THE  VICE-PROVOST.  131 

for  which,  once  spoken,  the  poor  doctor  felt  the  greatest 
shame  and  contrition.  These  oaths  were  no  less  singular 
""than  forcible ;  and  many  a  trick  was  practised,  and  many  a 
plan  devised,  that  the  learned  vice-provost  might  be 
entrapped  into  his  favorite  exclamation  of,  "May  the 
devil  admire  me ! "  which  no  place  or  presence  could 
restrain. 

My  servant,  Mike,  who  had  not  been  long  in  making 
himself  acquainted  with  all  the  originals  about  him,  was  the 
cause  of  my  first  meeting  the  doctor,  before  whom  I  received 
a  summons  to  appear  on  the  very  serious  charge  of  treating 
with  disrespect  the  heads  of  the  college. 

The  circumstances  were  shortly  these :  Mike  had,  among 
the  other  gossip  of  the  place,  heard  frequent  tales  of  the 
immense  wealth  and  great  parsimony  of  the  doctor,  and  of 
his  anxiety  to  amass  money  on  all  occasions,  and  the  avidity 
with  which  even  the  smallest  trifle  was  added  to  his  gains. 
He  accordingly  resolved  to  amuse  himself  at  the  expense  of 
this  trait,  and  proceeded  thus.  Boring  a  hole  in  a  half- 
penny, he  attached  a  long  string  to  it,  and  having  dropped 
it  on  the  doctor's  step  stationed  himself  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  court,  concealed  from  view  by  the  angle  of  the  Com- 
mons' wall.  He  Avaited  patiently  for  the  chapel  bell,  at  the 
first  toll  of  which  the  door  opened,  and  the  doctor  issued 
forth.  Scarcely  was  his  foot  upon  the  step,  when  he  saw 
the  piece  of  money,  and  as  quickly  stooped  to  seize  it ;  but 
just  as  his  finger  had  nearly  touched  it,  it  evaded  his  grasp 
and  slowly  retreated.  He  tried  again,  but  with  the  like 
success.  At  last,  thinking  he  had  miscalculated  the  dis- 
tance, he  knelt  leisurely  down,  and  put  forth  his  hand,  but 
lo  !  it  again  escaped  him ;  on  which,  slowly  rising  from  his 
posture,  he  shambled  on  towards  the  chapel,  where,  meeting 
the  senior  lecturer  at  the  door,  he  cried  out,  "  H —  to  my 
soul.  Wall,  but  I  saw  the  halfpenny  walk  away ! " 

For  the  sake  of  the  grave  character  whom  he  addressed, 
I  need  not  recount  how  such  a  speech  was  received ;  suffice 
it  to  say,  that  Mike  had  been  seen  by  a  college  porter,  who 
reported  him  as  my  servant. 

I  was  in  the  very  act  of  relating  the  anecdote  to  a  large 
party  at  breakfast  in  my  rooms,  when  a  summons  arrived, 


132  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

requiring  my  immediate  attendance  at  the  board,  then  sit- 
ting in  solemn  conclave  at  the  examination  hall. 

I  accordingly  assumed  my  academic  costume  as  speedily 
as  possible,  and  escorted  by  that  most  august  functionary, 
Mr.  M'Alister,  presented  myself  before  the  seniors. 

The  members  of  the  board,  with  the  provost  at  their 
head,  were  seated  at  a  long  oak  table  covered  with  books, 
papers,  etc.,  and  from  the  silence  they  maintained  as  I 
walked  up  the  hall,  I  augured  that  a  very  solemn  scene 
was  before  me. 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  the  dean,  reading  my  name  from  a 
paper  he  held  in  his  hand,  "  you  have  been  summoned  here 
at  the  desire  of  the  vice-provost,  whose  questions  you  will 
reply  to." 

I  bowed.  A  silence  of  a  few  minutes  followed,  when,  at 
length,  the  learned  doctor,  hitching  up  his  nether  garments 
with  both  hands,  put  his  old  and  bleary  eyes  close  to  my 
face,  while  he  croaked  out,  with  an  accent  that  no  hackney- 
coachman  could  have  exceeded  in  vulgarity,  — 

"  Eh,  O'Malley,  you  're  qiiartus,  I  believe  ;  a'n't  you  ?  " 

"  I  believe  not.  I  think  I  am  the  only  person  of  that 
name  now  on  the  books." 

"  That 's  thrue  ;  but  there  were  three  O'Malleys  before 
you.  Godfrey  O'Malley,  that  construed  Calve  Neroni  to 
Nero  the  Calvinist,  —  ha  !  ha !  ha ! —  was  cautioned  in 
1788." 

•'  My  uncle,  I  believe,  sir." 

"  More  than  likely,  from  what  I  hear  of  you,  —  Ex 
uno,  etc.  I  see  your  name  every  day  on  the  punish- 
ment roll.  Late  hours,  never  at  chapel,  seldom  at  monr- 
ing  lecture.  Here  ye  are,  sixteen  shillings,  wearing  a  red 
coat." 

"  Never  knew  any  harm  in  that.  Doctor." 

"  Ay,  but  d'  ye  see  me,  now  ?  '  Grave  raiment,'  says  the 
statute.  And  then,  ye  keep  numerous  beasts  of  prey,  dan- 
gerous in  their  habits,  and  unseemly  to  behold." 

"  A  bull  terrier,  sir,  and  two  game-cocks,  are,  I  assure 
you,  the  only  animals  in  my  household." 

"  Well,  I  '11  fine  you  for  it." 

"I  believe,  Doctor,"  said  the  dean,  interrupting  in  an 


THE  VICE-PROVOST.  133 

undertone,  "that  you  cannot  impose  a  penalty  in  this 
matter." 

''Ay,  but  I  can.  *  Singing-birds,'  says  the  statute,  'are 
forbidden  within  the  wall.' 

"  And  then,  ye  dazzled  my  eyes  at  Commons  with  a  bit 
of  looking-glass,  on  Friday.  I  saw  you.  May  the  devil !  — 
ahem !  As  I  was  saying,  that 's  casting  reflections  on  the 
heads  of  the  college  ;  and  your  servant  it  was,  Michaelis 
Liber,  Mickey  Free,  —  may  the  flames  of  !  —  ahem  1  —  an 
insolent  varlet !  called  me  a  sweep." 

"  You,  Doctor ;  impossible ! "  said  I,  with  pretended 
horror. 

"  Ay,  but  d'  ye  see  me,  now  ?  It 's  thrue,  for  I  looked 
about  me  at  the  time,  and  there  was  n't  another  sweep  in 
the  place  but  myself.  Hell  to  !  —  I  mean  —  God  forgive  me 
for  swearing  !  but  I  '11  fine  you  a  pound  for  this." 

As  I  saw  the  doctor  was  getting  on  at  such  a  pace,  I  re- 
solved, notwithstanding  the  august  presence  of  the  board,  to 
try  the  efficacy  of  Sir  Harry's  letter  of  introduction,  which 
I  had  taken  in  my  pocket  in  the  event  of  its  being  wanted. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,  if  the  time  be  an  unsuitable  one ; 
but  may  I  take  the  opportunity  of  presenting  this  letter  to 
you  ?  " 

"  Ha !  I  know  the  hand  —  Boyle's.  Boyle  secundus.  Hem, 
ha,  ay !  '  ]My  young  friend  ;  and  assist  him  by  your  advice.' 
To  be  sure  !  Oh,  of  course.  Eh,  tell  me,  young  man,  did 
Boyle  say  nothing  to  you  about  the  copy  of  Erasmus,  bound 
in  vellum,  that  I  sold  him  in  Trinity  term,  1782  ?  " 

"  I  rather  think  not,  sir,"  said  I,  doubtfully. 

"^Yell,  then,  he  might.  He  owes  me  two-and-fourpence 
of  the  balance." 

"  Oh,  I  beg  pardon,  sir ;  I  now  remember  he  desired  me 
to  repay  you  that  sum ;  but  he  had  just  sealed  the  letter 
when  he  recollected  it." 

"Better  late  than  never,"  said  the  doctor,  smiling  gra- 
ciously. "  Where  's  the  money  ?  Ay  !  half-a-crown.  I 
have  n't  twopence  —  never  mind.  Go  away,  5'oiing  man  ; 
the  case  is  dismissed.  Vehementer  rriiror  qxiare  hue  venistl. 
You  're  more  fit  for  anything  than  a  college  life.  Keep 
good  hours  ;  mind  the  terms  ;  and  dismiss  Michaelis  LiJjer. 


134  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Ha,  ha,  ha !  May  the  devil !  —  hem  !  —  that  is  do  —  "  So 
saying,  the  little  doctor's  hand  pushed  me  from  the  hall, 
his  mind  evidently  relieved  of  all  the  griefs  from  which 
he  had  been  suffering,  by  the  recovery  of  his  long-lost 
two-and-four-pence. 

Such  was  my  first  and  last  interview  with  the  vice- 
provost,  and  it  made  an  impression  upon  me  that  all  the 
intervening  years  have  neither  dimmed  nor  erased. 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 

TRINITY  COLLEGE. A  LECTUKE. 

I  HAD  not  been  many  weeks  a  resident  of  Old  Trinity 
ere  the  flattering  reputation  my  chum,  Mr.  Francis  Webber, 
had  acquired,  extended  also  to  myself;  and  by  universal 
consent,  we  were  acknowledged  the  most  riotous,  ill-con- 
ducted, disorderly  men  on  the  books  of  the  university. 
Were  the  lamps  of  the  squares  extinguished,  and  the  col- 
lege left  in  total  darkness,  we  were  summoned  before  the 
dean;  was  the  vice-provost  serenaded  with  a  chorus  of 
trombones  and  French  horns,  to  our  taste  in  music  was 
the  attention  ascribed ;  did  a  sudden  alarm  of  fire  disturb 
the  congregation  at  morning  chapel,  Messrs.  Webber  and 
O'Malley  were  brought  before  the  board,  —  and  I  must  do 
them  the  justice  to  say  that  the  most  trifling  circumstantial 
evidence  was  ever  sufficient  to  bring  a  conviction.  Reading 
men  avoided  the  building  where  we  resided  as  they  would 
have  done  the  plague.  Our  doors,  like  those  of  a  certain  clas- 
sic precinct  commemorated  by  a  Latin  writer,  lay  open  night 
and  day,  while  mustached  dragoons,  knowingly  dressed 
four-in-hand  men,  fox-hunters  in  pink,  issuing  forth  to  the 
Dubber  or  returning  splashed  from  a  run  with  the  Kildare 
hounds,  were  everlastingly  seen  passing  and  repassing. 
Within,  the  noise  and  confusion  resembled  rather  the  mess- 
room  of  a  regiment  towards  eleven  at  night  tlian  the  cham- 
bers of  a  college  student ;  while,  with  the  double  object 
of  affecting  to  be  in  ill-health,  and  to  avoid  the  reflections 
that  daylight  occasionally  inspires,  the  shutters  were  never 
opened,  but  lamps  and  candles  kept  always  burning.  Such 
was  Xo.  2,  Old  Square,  in  the  goodly  days  I  write  of.  All 
the  terrors  of  fines  and  punishments  fell  scathless  on  the 
head  of  my  worthy  chum.  In  fact,  like  a  well-known  politi- 
cal character,  whose  pleasure  and  amusement  it  has  been 
for  some  years  past  to  drive  through  acts  of  Parliament 
and  deride  the  powers  of  the  law,  so  did  Mr.  Webber  tread 


136  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

his  way,  serpenting  through  the  statute-book,  ever  grazing, 
but  rarely  trespassing  upon  some  forbidden  ground  which 
might  involve  the  great  punishment  of  expulsion.  So 
expert,  too,  had  he  become  in  his  special  pleadings,  so 
dexterous  in  the  laAv  of  the  university,  that  it  was  no  easy 
matter  to  bring  crime  home  to  him  ;  and  even  when  this 
was  done,  his  pleas  of  mitigation  rarely  failed  of  success. 

There  was  a  sweetness  of  demeanor,  a  mild,  subdued  tone 
about  him,  that  constantly  puzzled  the  worthy  heads  of  the 
college  how  the  accusations  ever  brought  against  him  could 
be  founded  on  truth ;  that  the  pale,  delicate-looking  student, 
whose  harsh,  hacking  cough  terrified  the  hearers,  could  be 
the  boisterous  performer  upon  a  key-bugle,  or  the  terrific 
assailant  of  watchmen,  was  something  too  absurd  for  belief. 
And  when  Mv.  Webber,  Avith  his  hand  upon  his  heart,  and 
in  his  most  dulcet  accents,  assured  them  that  the  hours  he 
was  not  engaged  in  reading  for  the  medal  were  passed  in 
the  soothing  society  of  a  few  select  and  intimate  friends  of 
literary  tastes  and  refined  minds,  who,  knowing  the  delicacy 
of  his  health,  —  here  he  would  cough,  —  were  kind  enough  to 
sit  up  with  him  for  an  hour  or  so  in  the  evening,  the  delu- 
sion was  perfect ;  and  the  story  of  the  dean's  riotous  habits 
having  got  abroad,  the  charge  was  usually  suppressed. 

Like  most  idle  men,  Webber  never  had  a  moment  to  spare. 
Except  read,  there  was  nothing  he  did  not  do ;  training  a 
hack  for  a  race  in  the  Phosnix,  arranging  a  rowing-match, 
getting  up  a  mock  duel  between  two  white-feather  acquaint- 
ances, were  his  almost  daily  avocations.  Besides  that,  he 
was  at  the  head  of  many  organized  societies,  instituted  for 
various  benevolent  purposes.  One  was  called  "  The  Asso- 
ciation for  Discountenancing  W^atchmen  ;  "  another,  "  The 
Board  of  Works,"  whose  object  was  principally  devoted  to 
the  embellishment  of  the  university,  in  which,  to  do  them 
justice,  their  labors  were  unceasing,  and  what  Avith  the 
assistance  of  some  black  paint,  a  ladder,  and  a  few  pounds 
of  gunpowder,  they  certainly  contrived  to  effect  many  im- 
portant changes.  Upon  an  examination  morning,  some 
hundred  luckless  *'jibs"  might  be  seen  perambulating  the 
courts,  in  the  vain  effort  to  discover  their  tutors'  chambers, 
the  names  havincr  undergone  an  alteration  that  left  all  trace 


TRINITY  COLLEGE.  — A  LECTURE.  137 

of  their  original  proprietors  unattainable :  Doctor  Francis 
Mooney  having  become  Doctor  Full  Moon ;  Doctor  Hare 
being,  by  the  change  of  two  letters,  Doctor  Ape ;  Eonmey 
Eobinsou,  Komulus  and  Eemus,  etc.  While,  upon  occasions 
like  these,  there  could  be  but  little  doubt  of  ^Master  Frank's 
intentions,  upon  many  others,  so  subtle  were  his  inventions, 
so  well-contrived  his  plots,  it  became  a  matter  of  consider- 
able difficulty  to  say  whether  the  mishap  which  befell  some 
luckless  acquaintance  were  the  result  of  design  or  mere 
accident ;  and  not  unfrequently  well-disposed  individuals 
were  found  condoling  witli  "  Poor  Frank  "  upon  his  igno- 
rance of  some  college  rule  or  etiquette,  his  breach  of  which 
had  been  long  and  deliberately  planned.  Of  this  latter 
description  was  a  circumstance  which  occurred  about  this 
time,  and  which  some  who  may  throw  an  eye  over  these 
pages  will  perliaps  remember. 

The  dean,  having  heard  (and,  indeed,  the  preparations 
were  not  intended  to  secure  secrecy)  that  Webber  destined 
to  entertain  a  party  of  his  friends  at  dinner  on  a  certain 
day,  sent  a  peremptory  order  for  his  appearance  at  Com- 
mons, his  name  being  erased  from  tlie  sick  list,  and  a  pretty 
strong  hint  conveyed  to  him  that  any  evasion  upon  his  part 
would  be  certainly  followed  by  an  inquiry  into  the  real 
reasons  for  his  absence.  What  was  to  be  done  ?  That  was 
the  very  day  he  had  destined  for  his  dinner.  To  be  sure, 
the  majority  of  his  guests  were  college  men,  who  would 
understand  the  difficulty  at  once ;  but  still  there  were  some 
others,  officers  of  the  14th,  with  whom  he  was  constantly 
dining,  and  whom  he  could  not  so  easily  put  off.  The  affair 
was  difficult,  but  still  Webber  was  the  man  for  a  difiiculty ; 
in  fact,  he  rather  liked  one.  A  very  brief  consideration 
accordingly  sufficed,  and  he  sat  down  and  wrote  to  his 
friends  at  the  Eoyal  Barracks  thus  :  — 

Saturday. 

Dear  Power,  —  I  have  a  better  plan  for  Tuesday  than  that  I 
had  proposed.  Lunch  here  at  tliree  (we  '11  call  it  dinner),  in  the  hall 
with  the  great  guns.  I  can't  say  much  for  the  grub;  but  the  com- 
pany — glorious !  After  that  we  '11  start  for  Lucan  in  the  drag  ;  take 
our  coffee,  strawberries,  etc.,  and  return  to  No.  2  for  supper  at  ten. 
Advertise  your  fellows  of  this  change,  and  believe  me. 

Most  unchangeably  yours,  Frank  Webber. 


138  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Accordingly,  as  three  o'clock  struck,  six  dasLing-looking 
light  dragoons  were  seen  slowly  sauntering  up  the  middle 
of  the  dining-hall,  escorted  by  Webber,  who,  in  full  academic 
costume,  was  leisurely  ciceroning  his  friends,  and  expati- 
ating upon  the  excellences  of  the  very  remarkable  portraits 
which  graced  the  walls. 

The  porters  looked  on  with  some  surprise  at  the  singular 
'  hour  selected  for  sight-seeing ;  but  what  was  their  astonish- 
ment to  find  that  the  party,  having  arrived  at  the  end  of  the 
hall,  instead  of  turning  back  again,  very  composedly  un- 
buckled their  belts,  and  having  disposed  of  their  sabres  in 
a  corner,  took  their  places  at  the  Fellows'  table,  and  sat 
down  amidst  the  collective  wisdom  of  Greek  lecturers  and 
Regius  professors,  as  though  they  had  been  mere  mortals 
like  themselves. 

Scarcely  was  the  long  Latin  grace  concluded,  when  Web- 
ber, leaning  forward,  enjoined  his  friends,  in  a  veiy  audible 
whisper,  that  if  they  intended  to  dine  no  time  was  to  be 
lost. 

"We  have  but  little  ceremony  here,  gentlemen,  and  all 
we  ask  is  a  fair  start,"  said  he,  as  he  drew  over  the  soup, 
and  proceeded  to  help  himself. 

The  advice  was  not  thrown  away ;  for  each  man,  with  an 
alacrity  a  campaign  usually  teaches,  made  himself  master 
of  some  neighboring  dish,  a  very  quick  interchange  of  good 
things  speedily  following  the  appropriation.  It  was  in  vain 
that  the  senior  lecturer  looked  aghast,  that  the  professor 
of  astronomy  frowned.  The  whole  table,  indeed,  were  thun- 
derstruck, even  to  the  poor  vice-provost  himself,  who,  albeit 
given  to  the  comforts  of  the  table,  could  not  lift  a  morsel  to 
his  mouth,  but  muttered  between  his  teeth,  "May  the  devil 
admire  me,  but  they  're  dragoons  !  "  The  first  shock  of  sur- 
prise  over,  the  porters  proceeded  to  inform  them  that  ex- 
cept Fellows  of  the  University  or  Fellow-commoners,  none 
were  admitted  to  the  table.  Webber  however  assured  them 
that  it  was  a  mistake,  there  being  nothing  in  the  statute 
to  exclude  the  14th  Light  Dragoons,  as  he  was  prepared  to 
prove.  Meanwhile  dinner  proceeded.  Power  and  his  party 
performing  with  great  self-satisfaction  upon  the  sirloins  and 
saddles  about  them,  regretting  only,  from  time  to  time,  that 


TRINITY  COLLEGE.  — A  LECTUEE.  139 

there  was  a  most  unaccountable  absence  of  wine,  and  suggest- 
ing the  propriety  of  napkins  whenever  they  should  dine  there 
again.  Whatever  chagrin  these  unexpected  guests  caused 
among  their  entertainers  of  the  upper  table,  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  hall  the  laughter  was  loud  and  unceasing ;  and 
long  before  the  hour  concluded,  the  Fellows  took  their  de- 
parture, leaving  to  Master  Frank  Webber  the  task  of  doing 
the  honors  alone  and  unassisted.  When  summoned  before 
the  board  for  the  offence  on  the  following  morning,  Webber 
excused  himself  by  throwing  the  blame  upon  his  friends, 
with  whom,  he  said,  nothing  short  of  a  personal  quarrel  — 
a  thing  for  a  reading  man  not  to  be  thought  of  —  could 
have  prevented  intruding  in  the  manner  related.  Nothing 
less  than  his  tact  could  have  saved  him  on  this  occasion, 
and  at  last  he  carried  the  day ;  while  by  an  act  of  the  board 
the  14tli  Light  Dragoons  were  pronounced  the  most  insolent 
corps  in  the  service. 

An  adventure  of  his,  however,  got  wind  about  this  time, 
and  served  to  enlighten  many  persons  as  to  his  real  charac- 
ter, who  had  hitherto  been  most  lenient  in  their  expressions 
about  him.  Our  worthy  tutor,  with  a  zeal  for  our  welfare 
far  more  praiseworthy  than  successful,  was  in  the  habit  of 
summoning  to  his  chambers,  on  certain  mornings  of  the 
week,  his  various  pupils,  whom  he  lectured  in  the  books  for 
the  approaching  examinations.  Now,  as  these  seances  were 
held  at  six  o'clock  in  winter  as  well  as  summer,  in  a  cold 
fireless  chamber, — the  lecturer  lying  snug  amidst  his  blank- 
ets, while  we  stood  shivering  around  the  walls,  —  the  ardor 
of  learning  must  indeed  have  proved  strong  that  prompted 
a  regular  attendance.  As  to  Frank,  he  would  have  as  soon 
thought  of  attending  chapel  as  of  presenting  himself  on 
such  an  occasion.  Not  so  with  me.  I  had  not  yet  grown 
hackneyed  enough  to  fly  in  the  face  of  authority,  and  I  fre- 
quently left  the  whist-table,  or  broke  off  in  a  song,  to  hurry 
over  to  the  doctor's  chambers  and  spout  Homer  and  Hesiod. 
I  suffered  on  in  patience,  till  at  last  the  bore  became  so 
insupportable  that  I  told  my  sorrows  to  my  friend,  who  lis- 
tened to  me  out,  and  promised  me  succor. 

It  so  chanced  that  upon  some  evening  in  each  week  Dr. 
Mooney  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  some  friends  who  re- 


140  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

sided  a  short  distance  from  town,  and  spending  the  night 
at  their  house.  He,  of  course,  did  not  lecture  the  follow- 
ing morning,  —  a  paper  placard,  announcing  no  lecture, 
being  affixed  to  the  door  on  such  occasions.  Frank  waited 
patiently  till  he  perceived  the  doctor  affixing  this  announce- 
ment upon  liis  door  one  evening ;  and  no  sooner  had  he  left 
the  college  than  he  withdrew  the  paper  and  departed. 

On  the  next  morning  he  rose  early,  and  concealing  him- 
self on  the  staircase,  waited  the  arrival  of  the  venerable 
damsel  who  acted  as  servant  to  the  doctor.  No  sooner  had 
she  opened  the  door  and  groped  her  way  into  the  sitting- 
room  than  Frank  crept  forward,  and  stealing  gently  into 
the  bedroom,  sprang  into  the  bed  and  wrapped  himself  up 
in  the  blankets.  The  great  bell  boomed  forth  at  six  o'clock, 
and  soon  after  the  sounds  of  the  feet  were  heard  upon  the 
stairs.  One  by  one  they  came  along,  and  gradually  the  room 
was  filled  with  cold  and  shivering  wretches,  more  than  half 
asleep,  and  trying  to  arouse  themselves  into  an  approach  to 
attention. 

"  Who  's  there  ?  "  said  Frank,  mimicking  the  doctor's 
voice,  as  he  yawned  three  or  four  times  in  succession  and 
turned  in  the  bed. 

"  CoUisson,  O'Malley,  Nesbitt,"  etc.,  said  a  number  of 
voices,  anxious  to  have  all  the  merit  such  a  penance  could 
confer. 

"  Where  's  Webber  ?  " 

"  Absent,  sir,"  chorussed  the  whole  party. 

"  Sorry  for  it,"  said  the  mock  doctor.  "  Webber  is  a 
man  of  first-rate  capacity ;  and  were  he  only  to  apply,  I 
am  not  certain  to  what  eminence  his  abilities  might  raise 
him.  Come,  Collisson,  any  three  angles  of  a  triangle  are 
equal  to  —  are  equal  to  —  what  are  they  equal  to  ?  "  Here 
he  yawned  as  though  he  would  dislocate  his  jaw. 

"Any  three  angles  of  a  triangle  are  equal  to  two  right 
angles,"  said  Collisson,  in  the  usual  sing-song  tone  of  a 
freshman. 

As  he  proceeded  to  prove  the  proposition,  his  monoto- 
nous tone  seemed  to  have  lulled  the  doctor  into  a  doze, 
for  in  a  few  minutes  a  deep,  long-drawn  snore  announced 
from  the  closed  curtains  that  he  listened  no  longer.    After 


TRINITY  COLLEGE. —A  LECTURE.  141 

a  little  time,  however,  a  short  snort  from  the  sleeper  awoke 
him  suddenly,  and  he  called  out,  "Go  on,  I'm  waiting. 
Do  you  think  I  can  arouse  at  this  hour  of  the  morning  for 
nothing  but  to  listen  to  your  bungling  ?  Can  no  one  give 
me  a  free  translation  of  the  passage  ?  " 

This  digression  from  mathematics  to  classics  did  not  sur- 
prise the  hearers,  though  it  somewhat  confused  them,  no  one 
being  precisely  aware  what  the  line  in  question  might  be. 

"  Try  it,  Nesbitt,  —  you,  O'Malley.  Silent  all  ?  Eeally 
this  is  too  bad  ! "  An  indistinct  muttering  here  from  the 
crowd  was  followed  by  an  announcement  from  the  doctor 
that  the  speaker  Avas  an  ass,  and  his  head  a  turnip  !  "  Xot 
one  of  you  capable  of  translating  a  chorus  from  Euripides, 
— '  Ou,  ou,  papai,  papai,'  etc. ;  which,  after  all,  means  no 
more  than,  '  Oh,  whilleleu,  murder,  why  did  you  die  I '  etc. 
What  are  you  laughing  at,  gentlemen  ?  May  I  ask,  does 
it  become  a  set  of  ignorant,  ill-informed  savages  —  yes, 
savages,  I  repeat  the  word  —  to  behave  in  this  manner  ? 
Webber  is  the  only  man  I  have  with  common  intellect,  — 
the  only  man  among  you  capable  of  distinguishing  himself. 
But  as  for  you,  I  '11  bring  you  before  the  board ;  I  '11  write 
to  your  friends  ;  I  '11  stop  your  college  indulgences  ;  I  '11 
confine  you  to  the  walls  ;  I  '11  be  damned,  eh  — " 

This  lapse  confused  him.  He  stammered,  stuttered,  en- 
deavored to  recover  himself  ;  but  by  this  time  we  had 
approached  the  bed,  just  at  the  moment  when  Master 
Frank,  well  knowing  what  he  might  expect  if  detected, 
had  bolted  from  the  blankets  and  rushed  from  the  room. 
In  an  instant  we  were  in  pursuit  ;  but  he  regained  his 
chambers,  and  double-locked  the  door  before  we  could  over- 
take him,  leaving  us  to  ponder  over  the  insolent  tirade  we 
had  so  patiently  submitted  to. 

That  morning  the  affair  got  wind  all  over  college.  As  for 
us,  we  were  scarcely  so  much  laughed  at  as  the  doctor ;  the 
world  wisely  remembering,  if  such  were  the  nature  of  our 
morning's  orisons,  we  might  nearly  as  profitably  have  re- 
mained snug  in  our  quarters. 

Such  was  our  life  in  Old  Trinity ;  and  strange  enough  it 
is  that  one  should  feel  tempted  to  the  confession,  but  I  really 
must  acknowledge  these  were,  after  all,  happy  times,  and  I 


142  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

look  back  upon  them  -with  mingled  pleasure  and  sadness. 
The  noble  lord  who  so  pathetically  lamented  that  the  devil 
■was  not  so  strong  in  him  as  he  used  to  be  forty  years  before, 
has  an  echo  in  my  regrets  that  the  student  is  not  as 
young  in  me  as  when  these  scenes  were  enacting  of  which 
I  write. 


CHAPTEE  XVIII. 

THE   INVITATION.  THE   WAGER. 

I  WAS  sitting  at  breakfast  with  Webber,  a  few  mornings 
after  the  mess  dinner  I  have  spoken  of,  when  Power  came 
in  hastily. 

"  Ha,  the  very  man  !  "  said  he.  "  I  say,  O'Malley,  here 's 
an  invitation  for  you  from  Sir  George,  to  dine  on  Friday. 
He  desired  me  to  say  a  thousand  civil  things  about  his  not 
having  made  you  out,  regrets  that  he  was  not  at  home  when 
you  called  yesterday,  and  all  that.  By  Jove,  I  know  nothing 
like  the  favor  you  stand  in  ;  and  as  for  Miss  Dashwood,  faith! 
the  fair  Lucy  blushed,  and  tore  her  glove  in  most  approved 
style,  when  the  old  general  began  his  laudation  of  you." 

"  Pooh,  nonsense,"  said  I ;  "  that  silly  affair  in  the  west." 

"  Oh,  very  probably ;  there 's  reason  the  less  for  you  look- 
ing so  excessively  conscious.  But  I  must  tell  you,  in  all 
fairness,  that  you  have  no  chance ;  nothing  short  of  a  dra- 
goon will  go  down." 

"  Be  assured,"  said  I,  somewhat  nettled,  "  my  pretensions 
do  not  aspire  to  the  fair  Miss  Dashwood." 

"  Tant  tnieiix  et  tant  pis,  mo?i  cher.  I  wish  to  Heaven 
mine  did  ;  and,  by  Saint  Patrick,  if  I  only  played  the  knight- 
errant  half  as  gallantly  as  yourself,  I  would  not  relinquish 
my  claims  to  the  Secretary  at  War  himself." 

"  What  the  devil  brought  the  old  general  down  to  your 
wild  regions  ?  "  inquired  Webber. 

"  To  contest  the  county." 

"A  bright  thought,  truly.  When  a  man  was  looking  for 
a  seat,  why  not  try  a  place  where  the  law  is  occasionally 
heard  of?" 

"  I  'm  sure  I  can  give  you  no  information  on  that  head ; 
nor  have  I  ever  heard  how  Sir  George  came  to  learn  that 
such  a  place  as  Galway  existed." 

"I  believe  I  can  enlighten  you,"  said  Power.  "Lady 
Dashwood  —  rest  her  soul !  —  came  west  of  the  Shannon ; 


144  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

she  had  a  large  property  somewhere  in  Mayo,  and  owned 
some  hundred  acres  of  swamp,  with  some  thousand  starving 
tenantry  thereupon,  that  people  dignified  as  an  estate  in  Con- 
naught.  This  first  suggested  to  him  the  notion  of  setting 
up  for  the  county,  probably  supposing  that  the  people  Avho 
never  paid  in  rent  might  like  to  do  so  in  gratitude.  How 
he  was  undeceived,  O'Malley  there  can  inform  us.  Indeed, 
I  believe  the  worthy  general,  who  was  confoundedly  hard 
up  when  he  married,  expected  to  have  got  a  great  fortune, 
and  little  anticipated  the  three  chancery  suits  he  succeeded 
to,  nor  the  fourteen  rent-charges  to  his  wife's  relatives  that 
made  up  the  bulk  of  the  dower.  It  was  an  unlucky  hit  for 
him  when  he  fell  in  with  the  old  '  maid '  at  Bath  ;  and  had 
she  lived,  he  must  have  gone  to  the  colonies.  But  the  Lord 
took  her  one  day,  and  Major  Dashwood  was  himself  again. 
The  Duke  of  York,  the  story  goes,  saw  him  at  Hounslow 
during  a  review,  was  much  struck  with  his  air  and  appear- 
ance, made  some  inquiries,  found  him  to  be  of  excellent 
family  and  irreproachable  conduct,  made  him  an  aide-de- 
camp, and,  in  fact,  made  his  fortune.  I  do  not  believe  that, 
while  doing  so  kind,  he  could  by  possibility  have  done  a 
more  popular  thing.  Every  man  in  the  army  rejoiced  at 
his  good  fortune ;  so  that,  after  all,  though  he  has  had  some 
hard  rubs,  he  has  come  well  through,  the  only  vestige  of  his 
unfortunate  matrimonial  connection  being  a  correspondence 
kept  up  by  a  maiden  sister  of  his  late  wife's  with  him.  She 
insists  upon  claiming  the  ties  of  kindred  upon  about  twenty 
family  eras  during  the  year,  when  she  regularly  writes  a 
most  loving  and  ill-spelled  epistle,  containing  the  latest 
information  from  Mayo,  with  all  particulars  of  the  Macan 
family,  of  which  she  is  a  worthy  member.  To  her  constant 
hints  of  the  acceptable  nature  of  certain  small  remittances, 
the  poor  general  is  never  inattentive ;  but  to  the  pleasing 
prospect  of  a  visit  in  the  flesh  from  Miss  Judy  Macan,  the 
good  man  is  dead.  In  fact,  nothing  short  of  being  broke  by 
general  court-martial  could  complete  his  sensations  of  horror 
at  such  a  stroke  of  fortune ;  and  I  am  not  certain,  if  choice 
were  allowed  him,  that  he  would  not  prefer  the  latter." 

"  Then  he  has  never  yet  seen  her  ?  "  said  Webber. 

"  Never,"  replied  Power  j  "  and  he  hopes  to  leave  Ireland 


THE   INVITATION  —  THE   WAGER.  145 

without  that  blessing,  the  prospect  of  which,  however  remote 
and  unlikely,  has,  I  know  well,  more  than  once  terrilied  him 
since  his  arrival." 

"I  say,  Power,  and  has  your  worthy  general  sent  me  a 
card  for  his  ball  ?  " 

"  Not  through  me,  Master  Frank." 

"Well,  now,  I  call  that  devilish  shabby,  do  you  know. 
He  asks  O'Malley  there  from  my  chambers,  and  never  no- 
tices the  other  man,  the  superior  in  the  firm.  Eh,  O'Malley, 
what  say  you  ?  " 

"  Why,  I  did  n't  know  you  were  acquainted." 

"  And  who  said  we  were  ?  It  was  his  fault,  though,  en- 
tirely, that  we  were  not.  I  am,  as  I  have  ever  been,  the 
most  easy  fellow  in  the  world  on  that  score,  never  give 
myself  airs  to  military  people,  endure  anything,  everything, 
and  you  see  the  result ;  hard,  ain't  it  ?  " 

"  But,  Webber,  Sir  George  must  really  be  excused  in  this 
matter.  He  has  a  daughter,  a  most  attractive,  lovely  daugh- 
ter, just  at  that  budding,  unsuspecting  age  when  the  heart 
is  most  susceptible  of  impressions ;  and  where,  let  me  ask, 
could  she  run  such  a  risk  as  in  the  chance  of  a  casual  meet- 
ing with  the  redoubted  lady-killer.  Master  Frank  Webber  ? 
If  he  has  not  sought  you  out,  then  here  be  his  apology." 

"  A  very  strong  case,  certainly,"  said  Frank ;  "  but,  still, 
had  he  confided  his  critical  position  to  my  honor  ana  secrecy, 
he  might  have  depended  on  me ;  now,  having  taken  the  other 
line  —  " 

"  Well,  what  then  ?  " 

"  Why,  he  must  abide  the  consequences.  I  '11  make  fierce 
love  to  Louisa ;  is  n't  that  the  name  ?  " 

"  Lucy,  so  please  you." 

"  Well,  be  it  so,  —  to  Lucy,  —  talk  the  little  girl  into  a 
most  deplorable  attachment  for  me." 

"  But,  how,  may  I  ask,  and  when  ?  " 

"  I  '11  begin  at  the  ball,  man." 

"  Why,  I  thought  you  said  you  were  not  going  ?  " 

"  There  you  mistake  seriously.  I  merely  said  that  I  had 
not  been  invited." 

"Then,  of  course,"  said  I,  "Webber,  you  can't  think  of 
going,  in  any  case,  on  my  account." 

VOL.  I.  — 10 


146  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  My  very  dear  friend,  I  go  entirely  upon  my  own.  T  not 
only  shall  go,  but  I  intend  to  have  most  particular  notice 
and  attention  paid  me.  I  shall  be  prime  favorite  with  Sir 
George,  kiss  Lucy  —  " 

"  Come,  come,  this  is  too  strong." 

"  What  do  you  beh  I  don't  ?  There,  now,  I  '11  give  you  a 
pony  apiece,  I  do.     Do  you  say  done  ?  " 

"  That  you  kiss  Miss  Dashwood,  and  are  not  kicked  down- 
stairs for  your  pains ;  are  those  the  terms  of  the  wager  ?  " 
inquired  Power. 

"  With  all  my  heart.  That  I  kiss  Miss  Dashwood,  and 
am  not  kicked  down-stairs  for  my  pains." 

"Then,  I  say,  done." 

"And  with  you,  too,  O'Malley  ? " 

"  I  thank  you,"  said  I,  coldly ;  "  I  am  not  disposed  to  make 
such  a  return  for  Sir  George  Dashwood's  hospitality  as  to 
make  an  insult  to  his  family  the  subject  of  a  bet." 

"  Why,  man,  what  are  you  dreaming  of  ?  Miss  Dashwood 
will  not  refuse  my  chaste  salute.  Come,  Power,  I  '11  give 
you  the  other  pony." 

"  Agreed,"  said  he.  "  At  the  same  time,  understand  me 
distinctly,  that  I  hold  myself  perfectly  eligible  to  winning 
the  wager  by  my  own  interference ;  for  if  you  do  kiss  her, 
by  Jove  !  I  '11  perform  the  remainder  of  the  compact." 

"  So  I  understand  the  agreement,"  said  Webber,  arranging 
his  curls  before  the  looking-glass.  "  Well,  now,  who  's  for 
Howth  ?     The  drag  will  be  here  in  half  an  hour." 

"Not  I,"  said  Power;  "I  must  return  to  the  barracks." 

"Nor  I,"  said  I,  "for  I  shall  take  this  opportunity  of 
leaving  my  card  at  Sir  George  Dashwood's." 

"  I  have  won  my  fifty,  however,"  said  Power,  as  we  walked 
out  in  the  courts. 

"I  am  not  quite  certain  —  " 

"  Why,  the  devil,  he  would  not  risk  a  broken  neck  for  that 
sum ;  besides,  if  he  did,  he  loses  the  bet." 

"  He 's  a  devilish  keen  fellow." 

"  Let  him  be.  In  any  case  I  am  determined  to  be  on  my 
guard  here." 

So  chatting,  we  strolled  along  to  the  Koyal  Hospital,  when, 
having  dropped  my  pasteboard,  I  returned  to  the  college. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

THE    BALL. 

I  HAVE  often  dressed  for  a  storming  party  with  less  of 
trepidation  than  I  felt  on  the  evening  of  Sir  George  Dash- 
wood's  ball.  Since  the  eventful  day  of  the  election  I  had 
never  seen  Miss  Dashwood ;  therefore,  as  to  what  precise 
position  I  miglit  occupy  in  her  favor  was  a  matter  of  great 
doubt  in  my  mind,  and  great  import  to  my  happiness.  That 
I  myself  loved  her,  was  a  matter  of  which  all  the  badinage 
of  my  friends  regarding  her  made  me  painfully  conscious ; 
but  that,  in  our  relative  positions,  such  an  attachment  was 
all  but  hopeless,  I  could  not  disguise  from  myself.  Young 
as  I  was,  I  well  knew  to  what  a  heritage  of  debt,  lawsuit, 
and  difficulty  I  was  born  to  succeed.  In  my  own  resources 
and  means  of  advancement  I  had  no  confidence  whatever, 
had  even  the  profession  to  which  I  was  destined  been  more 
of  my  choice.  I  daily  felt  that  it  demanded  greater  exer- 
tions, if  not  far  greater  abilities,  than  I  could  command,  to 
make  success  at  all  likely ;  and  then,  even  if  such  a  result 
were  in  store,  years,  at  least,  must  elapse  before  it  could 
happen ;  and  where  would  she  then  be,  and  where  should  I  ? 
Where  the  ardent  affection  I  now  felt  and  gloried  in,  —  per- 
haps all  the  more  for  its  desperate  hopelessness,  —  when  the 
sanguine  and  buoyant  spirit  to  combat  with  difficulties  which 
youth  suggests,  and  which,  later,  manhood  refuses,  should 
have  passed  away  ?  And  even  if  all  these  survived  the  toil 
and  labor  of  anxious  days  and  painful  nights,  what  of  her  ? 
Alas,  I  now  reflected  that,  although  only  of  my  own  age, 
her  manner  to  me  had  taken  all  that  tone  of  superiority  and 
patronage  which  an  elder  assumes  towards  one  younger,  and 
which,  in  the  spirit  of  protection  it  proceeds  upon,  essen- 
tially bars  up  every  inlet  to  a  dearer  or  warmer  feeling,  — 
at  least,  when  the  lady  plays  the  former  part.  "What, 
then,  is  to  be  done  ?  "  thought  I.    "  Forget  her  ?  —  but  how  ? 


148  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

How  shall  I  renounce  all  my  plans,  and  unweave  the  web  of 
life  I  have  been  spreading  around  me  for  many  a  day,  with- 
out that  one  golden  thread  that  lent  it  more  than  half  its 
brilliancy  and  all  its  attraction  ?  But  then  the  alternative 
is  even  worse,  if  I  encourage  expectations  and  nurture  hopes 
never  to  be  realized.  Well,  we  meet  to-night,  after  a  long 
and  eventful  absence ;  let  my  future  fate  be  ruled  by  the 
results  of  this  meeting.  If  Lucy  Dashwood  does  care  for 
me,  if  I  can  detect  in  her  manner  enough  to  show  me  that 
my  affection  may  meet  a  return,  the  whole  effort  of  my  life 
shall  be  to  make  her  mine  ;  if  not,  if  my  own  feelings  be  all 
that  I  have  to  depend  upon  to  extort  a  reciprocal  affec- 
tion, then  shall  I  take  my  last  look  of  her,  and  with  it  the 
first  and  brightest  dream  of  happiness  my  life  has  hitherto 
presented." 

It  need  not  be  wondered  at  if  the  brilliant  coup  d'cell  of 
the  ball-room,  as  I  entered,  struck  me  with  astonishment, 
accustomed  as  I  had  hitherto  been  to  nothing  more  magnifi- 
cent than  an  evening  party  of  squires  and  their  squiresses 
or  the  annual  garrison  ball  at  the  barracks.  The  glare  of 
wax-lights,  the  well-furnished  saloons,  the  glitter  of  uni- 
forms, and  the  blaze  of  plumed  and  jewelled  dames,  with 
the  clang  of  military  music,  was  a  species  of  enchanted 
atmosphere  which,  breathing  for  the  first  time,  rarely  fails 
to  intoxicate.  Never  before  had  I  seen  so  much  beauty. 
Lovely  faces,  dressed  in  all  the  seductive  flattery  of  smiles, 
were  on  every  side ;  and  as  I  walked  from  room  to  room, 
I  felt  how  much  more  fatal  to  a  man's  peace  and  heart's 
ease  the  Avhispered  words  and  silent  glances  of  those  fair 
damsels,  than  all  the  loud  gayety  and  boisterous  freedom 
of  our  country  belles,  who  sought  to  take  the  heart  by 
storm  and  escalade. 

As  yet  I  had  seen  neither  Sir  George  nor  his  daughter, 
and  while  I  looked  on  every  side  for  Lucy  Dashwood, 
it  was  with  a  beating  and  anxious  heart  I  longed  to  see 
how  she  would  bear  comparison  with  the  blaze  of  beauty 
around. 

Just  at  this  moment  a  very  gorgeously  dressed  hussar 
stepped  from  a  doorway  beside  me,  as  if  to  make  a  passage 


THE  BALL.  149 

for  some  one,  and  the  next  moment  slie  appeared  leaning 
upon  the  arm  of  another  lady.  One  look  was  all  that  I  had 
•'time  for,  when  she  recognized  me. 

"  Ah,  Mr.  O'Malley,  how  happy  —  has  Sir  George  —  has 
my  father  seen  you  ?  " 

"I  have  only  arrived  this  moment;  I  trust  he  is  quite 
well  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  thank  you  —  " 

"  I  beg  your  pardon  with  all  humility.  Miss  Dashwood," 
said  the  hussar,  in  a  tone  of  the  most  knightly  courtesy, 
"but  they  are  waiting  for  us." 

'*  But,  Captain  Fortescue,  you  must  excuse  me  one  mo- 
ment more.  Mr.  Lechmere,  will  you  do  me  the  kindness 
to  hnd  out  Sir  George  ?  Mr.  O'Malley  —  Mr.  Lechmere." 
Here  she  said  something  in  French  to  her  companion,  but 
so  rapidly  that  I  could  not  detect  what  it  was,  but  merely 
heard  the  reply,  "  Fas  mal !  "  —  which,  as  the  lady  con- 
tinued to  canvass  me  most  deliberately  through  her  eye- 
glass, I  supposed  referred  to  me.  "And  now,  Captain 
Fortescue  — "  And  with  a  look  of  most  courteous  kind- 
ness to  me  she  disappeared  in  the  crowd. 

The  gentleman  to  whose  guidance  I  was  entrusted  was 
one  of  the  aides-de-camp,  and  was  not  long  in  finding  Sir 
George.  Xo  sooner  had  the  good  old  general  heard  my 
name,  than  he  held  out  both  his  hands  and  shook  mine 
most  heartily, 

"At  last,  O'Malley;  at  last  I  am  able  to  thank  you  for 
the  greatest  service  ever  man  rendered  me.  He  saved 
Lucy,  my  Lord  ;  rescued  her  under  circumstances  where 
anything  short  of  his  courage  and  determination  must  have 
cost  her  her  life." 

"Ah,  very  pretty  indeed,"  said  a  stiff  old  gentleman 
addressed,  as  he  bowed  a  most  superbly  powdered  scalp  be- 
fore me  ;  "most  happy  to  make  your  acquaintance." 

"  Who  is  he  ?  "  added  he,  in  nearly  as  loud  a  tone  to  Sir 
George. 

"Mr.  O'Malley,  of  O'Malley  Castle." 

"  True,  I  forgot ;  why  is  he  not  in  uniform  ?  " 

"  Because,  unfortunately,  my  Lord,  we  don't  own  him  j 
he  's  not  in  the  army." 


150  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Ha  !  ha  !  thought  he  was." 

"  You  dauce,  O'Malley,  I  suppose  ?  I  'm  sure  you  'd 
rather  be  over  there  than  hearing  all  my  protestations  of 
gratitude,  sincere  and  heartfelt  as  they  really  are." 

''  Lechmere,  introduce  my  friend,  Mr.  O'Malley  ;  get  him 
a  partner." 

I  had  not  followed  my  new  acquaintance  many  steps, 
Avhen  Power  came  up  to  me.  "I  say,  Charley,"  cried  he, 
"  I  have  been  tormented  to  death  by  half  the  ladies  in  the 
room  to  present  you  to  them,  and  have  been  in  quest  of  you 
this  half-hour.  Your  brilliant  exploit  in  savage  land  has 
made  you  a  regular  preux  chevalier  ;  and  if  you  don't  trade 
on  that  adventure  to  your  most  lasting  profit,  you  deserve 
to  be  —  a  lawyer.  Come  along  here  !  Lady  INIuckleman, 
the  adjutant-general's  lady  and  chief,  has  four  Scotch 
daughters  you  are  to  dance  with  ;  then  I  am  to  introduce 
you  in  all  form  to  the  Dean  of  Something's  niece,  —  she  is  a 
good-looking  girl,  and  has  two  livings  in  a  safe  county. 
Then  there  's  the  town-major's  wife  ;  and,  in  fact,  I  have 
several  engagements  from  this  to  supper-time." 

"  A  thousand  thanks  for  all  your  kindness  in  prospective, 
but  I  think,  perhaps,  it  were  right  I  should  ask  ]Miss 
Dashwood  to  dance,  if  only  as  a  matter  of  form,  —  you 
understand  ?  " 

"  And  if  Miss  Dashwood  should  say,  '  With  pleasure, 
sir,'  only  as  a  matter  of  form,  —  you  understand  ?  "  said  a 
silvery  voice  beside  me.  I  turned,  and  saw  Lucy  Dash- 
wood, who,  having  overheard  my  free-and-easy  suggestion, 
replied  to  me  in  this  manner. 

I  here  blundered  out  my  excuses.  What  I  said,  and  what 
I  did  not  say,  I  do  not  now  remember ;  but  certainly,  it 
was  her  turn  now  to  blush,  and  her  arm  trembled  within 
mine  as  I  led  her  to  the  top  of  the  room.  In  the  little 
opportunity  which  our  quadrille  presented  for  conversa- 
tion, I  could  not  help  remarking  that,  after  the  surprise  of 
her  first  meeting  with  me,  Miss  Dashwood's  manner  be- 
came gradually  more  and  more  reserved,  and  that  there 
was  an  evident  struggle  between  her  wish  to  appear  grate- 
ful for  what  had  occurred,  with  a  sense  of  the  necessity  of 
not  incurring  a  greater  degree  of  intimacy.     Such  was  my 


THE  BALL.  151 

impression,  at  least,  and  such  the  condusion  I  drew 
from  a  certain  quiet  tone  in  her  manner  that  went  fur- 
ther to  wound  my  feelings  and  mar  my  happiness  than 
any  other  line  of  conduct  towards  me  could  possibly  have 
effected. 

Our  quadrille  over,  I  was  about  to  conduct  her  to  a 
seat,  when  Sir  George  came  hurriedly  up,  his  face  greatly 
flushed,  and  betraying  every  semblance  of  high  excitement. 

"  Dear  Papa,  has  anything  occurred  ?  Pray  what  is  it  ?  " 
inquired  she. 

He  smiled  faintly,  and  replied,  "  Nothing  very  serious,  my 
dear,  that  I  should  alarm  you  in  this  way ;  but  certainly, 
a  more  disagreeable  contretemps  could  scarcely  occur." 

"  Do  tell  me  :  what  can  it  be  ?  " 

"Kead  this,"  said  he,  presenting  a  very  dirty-looking 
note  which  bore  the  mark  of  a  red  wafer  most  infernally 
plain  upon  its  outside. 

Miss  Dashwood  unfolded  the  billet,  and  after  a  moment's 
silence,  instead  of  participating,  as  he  expected,  in  her  fath- 
er's feeling  of  distress,  burst  out  a-laughing,  while  she  said : 
"  Why,  really.  Papa,  I  do  not  see  why  this  should  put  you 
out  much,  after  all.  Aunt  may  be  somewhat  of  a  character, 
as  her  note  evinces,  but  after  a  few  days  —  " 

"  Xonsense,  child ;  there  's  nothing  in  this  world  I  have 
such  a  dread  of  as  that  confounded  woman,  —  and  to  come 
at  such  a  time." 

"  When  does  she  speak  of  paying  her  visit  ?  " 

"I  knew  you  had  not  read  the  note,"  said 'Sir  George, 
hastily ;  "  she 's  coming  here  to-night,  —  is  on  her  way  this 
instant,  perhaps.  What  is  to  be  done  ?  If  she  forces  her 
way  in  here,  I  shall  go  deranged  outright ;  O'Malley,  my 
boy,  read  this  note,  and  you  will  not  feel  surprised  if  I 
appear  in  the  humor  you  see  me." 

I  took  the  billet  from  the  hands  of  Miss  Dashwood,  and 
read  as  follows  :  — 


Dear  Brother,  —  When  this  reaches  your  hand,  I  '11  not  be  far 
off.  1  'm  on  my  way  up  to  town,  to  lie  under  Dr.  Dease  for  the  ould 
complaint.  Cowley  mistakes  my  case  entirely  ;  he  says  it 's  nothing 
but  religion  and  wind.     Father  Magrath,  who  understands  a  good 


152  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

deal  about  females,  thinks  otherwise  ;  but  God  knows  who  's  right 
Expect  me  to  tea,  and,  with  love  to  Lucy, 

Believe  me,  yours  in  haste, 

Judith  Macan. 

Let  the  sheets  be  well  aired  in  my  room  ;  and  if  you  have  a  spare 
bed,  perhaps  we  could  prevail  upon  Father  Magrath  to  stop  too. 

I  scarcely  could  contain  my  laughter  till  I  got  to  the  end 
of  tins  very  free-and-easy  epistle  ;  when  at  last  I  burst  forth 
in  a  hearty  fit,  in  which  I  was  joined  by  Miss  Dashwood. 

From  the  account  Power  had  given  me  in  the  morning,  I 
had  no  difficulty  in  guessing  that  the  waiter  was  the  muiden 
sister  of  the  late  Lady  Dashwood  ;  and  for  whose  relation- 
ship Sir  George  had  ever  testified  the  greatest  dread,  even 
at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  miles  ;  and  for  whom,  in  any 
nearer  intimacy,  he  was  in  no  wise  prepared. 

"  I  say,  Lucy,"  said  he,  "  there  's  only  one  thing  to  be 
done  :  if  this  horrid  woman  does  arrive,  let  her  be  shown 
to  her  room ;  and  for  the  few  days  of  her  stay  in  town, 
we  '11  neither  see  nor  be  seen  by  any  one." 

Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  Sir  George  was  turning  away 
to  give  the  necessary  instructions,  when  the  door  of  the 
drawing-room  was  flung  open,  and  the  servant  announced, 
in  his  loudest  voice,  "  Miss  Macan."  Never  shall  I  forget 
the  poor  general's  look  of  horror  as  the  words  reached  him ; 
for  as  yet,  he  was  too  far  to  catch  even  a  glimpse  of  its 
fair  owner.  As  for  me,  I  was  already  so  much  interested 
in  seeing  what  she  was  like,  that  I  made  my  way  through 
the  crowed  tow^ards  the  door.  It  is  no  common  occurrence 
that  can  distract  the  various  occupations  of  a  crowded  ball- 
room, where,  amidst  the  crash  of  music  and  the  din  of  con- 
versation, goes  on  the  soft,  low  voice  of  insinuating  flattery, 
or  the  light  flirtation  of  a  first  acquaintance  ;  every  clique, 
every  coterie,  every  little  group  of  three  or  four  has  its  own 
separate  and  private  interests,  forming  a  little  world  of  its 
ow^i,  and  caring  for  and  heeding  nothing  that  goes  on 
around ;  and  even  when  some  striking  character  or  illus- 
trious personage  makes  his  entree,  the  attention  he  attracts 
is  so  momentary,  that  the  buzz  of  conversation  is  scarcely, 
if  at  all,  interrupted,  and  the  business  of  pleasure  continues 


THE  BALL. 


153 


to  flow  on.  Not  so  now,  however.  No  sooner  liad  the  ser- 
vant pronounced  the  magical  name  of  Miss  Macan,  than  all 
seemed  to  stand  still.  The  spell  thus  exercised  over  the 
luckless  general  seemed  to  have  extended  to  his  company ; 
for  it  was  with  difficulty  that  any  one  could  continue  his 
train  of  conversation,  while  every  eye  was  directed  towards 
the  door.  About  two  steps  in  advance  of  the  servant,  who 
still  stood  door  in  hand,  was  a  tall,  elderly  lady,  dressed  in 
an  antique  brocade  silk,  with  enormous  flowers  gaudily  em- 


broidered upon  it.  Her  hair  was  powdered  and  turned  back 
in  the  fashion  of  fifty  years  before  ;  while  her  high-pointed 
and  heeled  shoes  completed  a  costume  that  had  not  been 
seen  for  nearly  a  century.  Her  short,  skinny  arms  were 
bare  and  partly  covered  by  a  falling  flower  of  old  point  lace, 
while  on  her  hands  she  wore  black  silk  mittens  ;  a  pair  of 
green  spectacles  scarcely  dimmed  the  lustre  of  a  most  pierc- 
ing pair  of  eyes,  to  whose  effect  a  very  palpable  touch  of 
rouge  on  the  cheeks  certainly  added  brilliancy.  There 
stood  this  most  singular  apparition,  holding  before  her 
a  fan  about  the  size  of  a  modern  tea-tray ;  while  at  each 


154  CHARLES  O'M ALLEY. 

repetition  of  her  name  by  the  servant,  she  cnrtesied 
deeply,  bestowing  the  while  upon  the  gay  crowd  before  her 
a  very  curious  look  of  maidenly  modesty  at  her  solitary 
and  unprotected  position. 

As  no  one  had  ever  heard  of  the  fair  Judith,  save  one  or 
two  of  Sir  George's  most  intimate  friends,  the  greater  part 
of  the  company  were  disposed  to  regard  Miss  Macan  as 
some  one  who  had  mistaken  the  character  of  the  invitation, 
and  had  come  in  a  fancy  dress.  But  this  delusion  was  but 
momentary,  as  Sir  George,  armed  with  the  courage  of  de- 
spair, forced  his  way  through  the  crowd,  and  taking  her 
hand  affectionately,  l)id  her  welcome  to  Dublin.  The  fair 
Judy,  at  this,  threw  her  arms  about  his  neck,  and  saluted 
him  with  a  hearty  smack  that  was  heard  all  over  the  room, 

"Where's  Lucy,  Brother?  Let  me  embrace  my  little 
darling,"  said  the  lady,  in  an  accent  that  told  more  of 
Miss  Macan  than  a  three-volume  biography  could  have 
done.     "  There  she  is,  I  'm  sure  ;  kiss  me,  my  honey." 

This  office  Miss  Dashwood  performed  with  an  effort  at 
courtesy  really  admirable ;  while,  taking  her  aunt's  arm, 
she  led  her  to  a  sofa. 

It  needed  all  the  poor  general's  tact  to  get  over  the 
sensation  of  this  most  malapropos  addition  to  his  party  ; 
but  by  degrees  the  various  groups  renewed  their  occupa- 
tions, although  many  a  smile,  and  more  than  one  sarcastic 
glance  at  the  sofa,  betrayed  that  the  maiden  aunt  had  not 
escaped  criticism. 

Power,  whose  propensity  for  fun  very  considerably  out- 
stripped his  sense  of  decorum  to  his  commanding  officer, 
had  already  made  his  way  towards  Miss  Dashwood,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  a  formal  introduction  to  IVIiss  Macan. 

"I  hope  you  will  do  me  the  favor  to  dance  next  set  with 
me.  Miss  Macan  ?  " 

"  Really,  Captain,  it 's  very  polite  of  you,  but  you  must 
excuse  me.  I  was  never  anything  great  in  quadrilles  ;  but 
if  a  reel  or  a  jig  —  " 

"Oh,  dear  Aunt,  don't  think  of  it,  I  beg  of  you." 

"  Or  even  Sir  Roger  de  Coverley,"  resumed  Miss  Macan. 

"  I  assure  you,  quite  equally  impossible." 

"  Then  I  'm  certain  you  waltz,"  said  Power. 


THE  B^\J.L.  355 

«  What  do  you  take  me  for,  young  man  ?  I  hope  I  know 
better.  I  wish  Father  Magrath  heard  you  ask  me  that 
question,  and  for  all  your  laced  jacket  —  " 

"  Dearest  Aunt,  Captain  Power  did  n't  mean  to  offend  you; 
I  'm  certain  he  —  " 

"Well,  why  did  he  dare  to  [sob,  sob']  — did  he  see  any- 
thing light  about  me,  that  he  \_sob,  sob,  sob]  —  oh,  dear !  oh, 
dear !  is  it  for  this  I  came  up  from  my  little  peaceful  place 
in  the  west  [sob,  sob,  sob]  ?  —  General,  George,  dear ;  Lucy, 
my  love,  I  'm  taken  bad.  Oh,  dear !  oh,  dear  !  is  there  any 
whiskey  negus  ?  " 

Whatever  sympathy  Miss  Macau's  sufferings  might  have 
excited  in  the  crowd  about  her  before,  this  last  question 
totally  routed  them,  and  a  most  hearty  lit  of  laughter  broke 
forth  from  more  than  one  of  the  b3"standers. 

At  length,  however,  she  was  comforted,  and  her  pacifica- 
tion completely  effected  by  Sir  George  setting  her  down  to 
a  whist-table.  From  this  moment  I  lost  sight  of  her  for 
above  two  hours.  Meanwhile  I  had  little  opportunity  of 
following  up  my  intimacy  with  Miss  Dashwood,  and  as  I 
rather  suspected  that,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  she  seemed 
to  avoid  our  meeting,  I  took  especial  care  on  my  part,  to 
spare  her  the  annoyance. 

For  one  instant  only  had  I  any  opportunity  of  addressing 
her,  and  then  there  was  such  an  evident  embarrassment  in 
her  manner  that  I  readily  perceived  how  she  felt  circum- 
stanced, and  that  the  sense  of  gratitude  to  one  whose  further 
advances  she  might  have  feared,  rendered  her  constrained 
and  aAvkward.  "  Too  true,"  said  I,  "  she  avoids  me.  My 
being  here  is  only  a  source  of  discomfort  and  pain  to  her ; 
therefore,  I  '11  take  my  leave,  and  whatever  it  may  cost  me, 
never  to  return."  With  this  intention,  resolving  to  wish 
Sir  George  a  very  good  night,  I  sought  him  out  for  some 
minutes.  At  length  I  saw  him  in  a  corner,  conversing  with 
the  old  nobleman  to  whom  he  had  presented  me  early  in  the 
evening. 

"  True,  upon  my  honor,  Sir  George,"  said  he  ;  "I  saw  it 
myself,  and  she  did  it  just  as  dexterously  as  the  oldest 
blackleg  in  Paris." 

"  Why,  you  don't  mean  to  say  that  she  cheated  ?  " 


li>6  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"Yes,  but  I  do,  though,  —  turned  the  ace  every  time. 
Lady  Herbert  said  to  me,  *  Very  extraordinary  it  is,  —  four 
by  honors  again.'  So  I  looked,  and  then  I  perceived  it,  —  a 
very  old  trick  it  is ;  but  she  did  it  beautifully.  What 's  her 
name  ?  " 

"  Some  western  name  ;  I  forget  it,"  said  the  poor  general, 
ready  to  die  with  shame. 

"  Clever  old  woman,  vsry ! "  said  the  old  lord,  taking  a 
pinch  of  snuff ;  "  but  revokes  too  often." 

Supper  was  announced  at  this  critical  moment,  and  before 
I  had  further  thought  of  my  determination  to  escape.  I  felt 
myself  hurried  along  in  the  crowd  towards  the  staircase. 
The  party  immediately  in  front  of  me  were  Power  and  Miss 
Macan,  who  now  appeared  reconciled,  and  certainly  testified 
most  openly  their  mutual  feelings  of  good-will. 

"I  say,  Charley,"  whispered  Power,  as  I  came  along,  "it 
is  capital  fiin,  —  never  met  anything  equal  to  her;  but  the 
poor  general  will  never  live  through  it,  and  I  'm  certain  of 
ten  day's  arrest  for  this  night's  proceeding." 

"  Any  news  of  Webber  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  fancy  I  can  tell  something  of  him  ;  for  I  heard 
of  some  one  presenting  himself,  and  being  refused  the  entree, 
so  that  Master  Frank  has  lost  his  money.  Sit  near  us,  I 
pray  you,  at  supper.  We  must  take  care  of  the  dear  aunt 
for  the  niece's  sake,  eh  ?  " 

Not  seeing  the  force  of  this  reasoning,  I  soon  separated 
myself  from  them,  and  secured  a  corner  at  a  side-table. 
Every  supper  on  such  an  occasion  as  this  is  the  same  scene 
of  solid  white  muslin,  faded  flowers,  flushed  faces,  torn 
gloves,  blushes,  blanc-mange,  cold  chicken,  jelly,  sponge 
cakes,  spooney  young  gentlemen  doing  the  attentive,  and 
watchful  mammas  calculating  what  precise  degree  of  pro- 
pinquity in  the  crush  is  safe  or  seasonable  for  their  daugh- 
ters to  the  mustached  and  unmarrying  lovers  beside  them. 
There  are  always  the  same  set  of  gratified  elders,  like  the 
benchers  in  King's  Inn,  marched  up  to  the  head  of  the  table, 
to  eat,  drink,  and  be  happy,  removed  from  the  more  pro- 
fane looks  and  soft  speeches  of  the  younger  part  of  the 
creation.  Then  there  are  the  hoi  polloi  of  outcasts,  younger 
sons  of  younger  brothers,  tutors,  governesses,  portionless 


THE   BALL.  157 

cousins,  and  curates,  all  formed  in  phalanx  round  the  side- 
tables,  whose  primitive  habits  and  simple  tastes  are  evinced 
by  their  a'l  eating  off  the  same  plate  and  drinking  from 
nearly  the  same  wine-glass,  —  too  happy  if  some  better-off 
acquaintance  at  the  long  table  invites  them  to  "  wine," 
though  the  ceremony  on  their  part  is  limited  to  the  panto- 
mime of  drinking.  To  this  miserable  tiers  etat  I  belonged, 
and  bore  my  fate  with  unconcern ;  for,  alas,  my  spirits  were 
depressed  and  my  heart  heavy.  Lucy's  treatment  of  me 
was  every  moment  before  me,  contrasted  with  her  gay  and 
courteous  demeanor  to  all  save  myself,  and  I  longed  for  the 
moment  to  get  away. 

Never  had  I  seen  her  looking  so  beautif  id ;  her  brilliant 
eyes  were  lit  with  pleasure,  and  her  smile  was  enchantment 
itself.  What  would  I  not  have  given  for  one  moment's  ex- 
planation, as  I  took  my  leave  forever !  —  one  brief  avowal  of 
my  unalterable,  devoted  love ;  for  which  I  sought  not  nor 
expected  return,  but  merely  that  1  might  not  be  forgotten. 

Such  were  my  thoughts,  when  a  dialogue  quite  near  me 
aroused  me  from  my  revery.  I  was  not  long  in  detecting 
the  speakers,  who,  with  their  backs  turned  to  us,  were 
seated  at  the  great  table  discussing  a  very  liberal  allowance 
of  pigeon-pie,  a  flask  of  champagne  standing  between  them. 

"  Don't  now  !  don't  I  tell  ye  ;  it 's  little  ye  know  Galway, 
or  ye  wouldn't  think  to  make  up  to  me,  squeezing  my 
foot." 

"  Upon  my  soul,  you  're  an  angel,  a  regular  angel.  I  never 
saw  a  woman  suit  my  fancy  before." 

"Oh,  behave  now.     Father  Magrath  says  — " 

"Who's  he?" 

"  The  priest ;  no  less." 

"  Oh,  confound  him  !  " 

"  Confound  Father  Magrath,  young  man  ?  " 

"  Well,  then,  Judy,  don't  be  angry ;  I  only  meant  that  a 
dragoon  knows  rather  more  of  these  matters  than  a  priest." 

"  Well,  then,  I  'm  not  so  sure  of  that.  But  anyhow,  I  'd 
have  you  to  remember  it  ain't  a  Widow  Malone  you  have 
beside  you." 

"  Xever  heard  of  the  lady,"  said  Power. 

"  Sure,  it 's  a  song,  —  poor  creature,  —  it 's  a  song  they 


158  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

made  about  her  in  the  North  Cork,  when  they  were  quartered 
down  in  our  county." 

"  I  wish  to  Heaven  you  'd  sing  it." 

"  What  will  you  give  me,  then,  if  I  do  ?  " 

"  Anything,  —  everything ;  my  heart,  my  life." 

"  I  would  n't  give  a  trauneen  for  all  of  them.  Give  me 
that  old  green  ring  on  your  finger,  then." 

"  It 's  yours,"  said  Power,  placing  it  gracefully  upon  Miss 
Macau's  finger ;  "  and  now  for  your  promise." 

"  May  be  my  brother  might  not  like  it." 

"  He  'd  be  delighted,"  said  Power ;  "  he  dotes  on  music." 

"Does  he  now?" 

"  On  my  honor,  he  does." 

"  Well,  mind  you  get  up  a  good  chorus,  for  the  song  has 
one,  and  here  it  is." 

"  Miss  Macau's  song ! "  said  Power,  tapping  the  table  with 
his  knife. 

"  Miss  Macau's  song ! "  was  re-echoed  on  all  sides ;  and 
before  the  luckless  general  could  interfere,  she  had  begun. 
How  to  explain  the  air  I  know  not,  for  I  never  heard  its 
name ;  but  at  the  end  of  each  verse  a  species  of  echo  fol- 
lowed the  last  word  that  rendered  it  irresistibly  ridiculous. 

THE  WIDOW   MALONE. 

Did  ye  hear  of  the  Widow  Malone, 

Ohonel 

Who  lived  in  the  town  of  Athlone, 

Alone  ? 

Oh,  she  melted  the  hearts 

Of  the  swains  in  them  parts, 

So  lovely  the  Widow  Malone, 

Ohone! 

So  lovely  the  Widow  Malone. 

Of  lovers  she  had  a  full  score, 

Or  more ; 

And  fortunes  they  all  had  galore, 

In  store ; 

From  the  minister  down 

To  the  clerk  of  the  crown, 


THE   BALL.  159 

All  were  courting  the  Widow  Malone, 

Oh  one! 
All  were  courting  the  Widow  Malone. 

But  so  modest  was  Mrs.  Malone, 

'T  was  known 

No  one  ever  could  see  her  alone, 

Ohone ! 

Let  them  ogle  an<I  sigh, 

They  could  ne'er  catch  her  eye, 

So  bashful  the  Widow  Malone, 

Ohone ! 

So  bashful  the  Widow  Malone. 

Till  one  Mister  O'Brien  from  Clare, 

How  quare ! 

It 's  little  for  blushin'  they  care 

Down  there ; 

Put  his  arm  round  her  waist, 

Gave  ten  kisses  at  laste, 

"  Oh,"  says  he,  "  you  're  my  Molly  Malone, 

My  own ; 

Oh,"  says  he,  "  you  're  my  Molly  Malone." 

And  the  widow  they  all  thought  so  shy, 

My  eye ! 

Ne'er  thought  of  a  simper  or  sigh, 

For  why  ? 

But  "  Lucius,"  says  she, 

"  Since  you  've  made  now  so  free, 

You  may  marr}^  your  Mary  ^lalone, 

Ohone ! 

You  may  marry  your  Mary  Malone." 

There 's  a  moral  contained  in  my  song. 

Not  wrong; 

And  one  comfort  it 's  not  very  long, 

But  strong ; 

If  for  widows  you  die, 

Larn  to  kiss,  not  to  sicjh. 

For  they  're  all  like  sweet  Mistress  Malone, 

Ohone ! 

Oh,  they  're  very  like  Mistress  Malone. 

Never  did  song  create  such  a  sensation  as  Miss  Macan's  ; 
and  certainly  her  desires  as  to  the  chorus  were  followed  to 


160  CHARLES  O'MAXLEY. 

the  letter,  for  "The  Widow  Malone,  ohone!"  resounded 
from  oue  end  of  the  table  to  the  other,  amidst  one  universal 
shout  of  laughter.  None  could  resist  the  ludicrous  effect  of 
her  melody ;  and  even  poor  Sir  George,  sinking  under  the 
disgrace  of  his  relationship,  which  she  had  contrived  to 
make  public  by  frequent  allusions  to  her  ''  dear  brother  the 
general,"  yielded  at  last,  and  joined  in  the  mirth  around 
him. 

"  I  insist  upon  a  copy  of  '  The  Widow,'  Miss  Macan,"  said 
Power. 

"  To  be  sure ;  give  me  a  call  to-morrow,  —  let  me  see,  — 
about  two.  Father  Magrath  won't  be  at  home,"  said  she, 
with  a  coquettish  look.- 

"  Where,  pray,  may  I  pay  my  respects  ?  " 

"  No.  22  South  Anne  Street,  —  very  respectable  lodgings. 
I  '11  write  the  address  in  your  pocket-book." 

Power  produced  a  card  and  pencil,  while  Miss  Macan 
wrote  a  few  lines,  saying,  as  she  handed  it :  — 

"  There,  now,  don't  read  it  here  before  the  people ;  they  '11 
think  it  mighty  indelicate  in  me  to  make  an  appointment." 

Power  pocketed  the  card,  and  the  next  minute  Miss 
Macau's  carriage  was  announced. 

Sir  George  Dashwood,  who  little  flattered  himself  that  his 
fair  guest  had  any  intention  of  departure,  became  now  most 
considerately  attentive,  reminded  her  of  the  necessity  of 
muffling  against  the  night  air,  hoped  she  would  escape  cold, 
and  wished  her  a  most  cordial  good-night,  with  a  promise 
of  seeiu'g  her  early  the  following  day. 

Notwithstanding  Power's  ambition  to  engross  the  atten- 
tion of  the  lady,  Sir  George  himself  saw  her  to  her  carriage, 
and  only  returned  to  the  room  as  a  group  was  collecting 
around  the  gallant  captain,  to  whom  he  was  relating  some 
capital  traits  of  his  late  conquest,  —  for  such  he  dreamed 
she  was. 

"  Doubt  it  who  will,"  said  he,  "  she  has  invited  me  to  call 
on  her  to-morrow,  written  her  address  on  my  card,  told  me 
the  hour  she  is  certain  of  being  alone.  See  here  ! "  At  these 
words  he  pulled  forth  the  card,  and  handed  it  to  Lechmere. 

Scarcely  were  the  eyes  of  the  other  thrown  upon  the  writ- 
ing, when  he  said,  "So,  this  is  n't  it.  Power." 


THE  BALL.  161 

"To  be  sure  it  is,  man,"  said  Power.  "Anne  Street  is 
devilish  seedy,  but  that 's  the  quarter." 

"  Wliy,  confound  it,  man!"  said  the  other;  "there's  not 
a  word  of  that  here." 

"  Read  it  out,"  said  Power.    "  Proclaim  aloud  my  victory." 

Thus  urged,  Lechmere  read :  — 

Dear  P., — 

Please  pay  to  my  credit,  —  and  soon,  mark  ye  !  —  the  two  ponies 
lost  this  evening.  I  have  done  myself  the  pleasure  of  enjoying  your 
ball,  kissed  the  lady,  quizzed  the  papa,  and  walked  into  the  cunning 
Fred  Power.  Yours, 

Frank  Webber. 

"  The  Widow  Malone,  ohone  I  "  is  at  your  service. 

Had  a  thunderbolt  fallen  at  his  feet,  his  astonishment 
could  not  have  equalled  the  result  of  this  revelation.  He 
stamped,  swore,  raved,  laughed,  and  almost  went  deranged. 
The  joke  was  soon  spread  through  the  room,  and  from  Sir 
George  to  poor  Lucy,  now  covered  with  blushes  at  her  part 
in  the  transaction,  all  was  laughter  and  astonishment. 

"  Who  is  he  ?  That  is  the  question,"  said  Sir  George,  who, 
with  all  the  ridicule  of  the  affair  hanging  over  him,  felt  no 
common  relief  at  the  discovery  of  the  imposition. 

"A  friend  of  O'Malley's,"  said  Power,  delighted,  in  his 
defeat,  to  involve  another  with  himself. 

"  Indeed  ! "  said  the  general,  regarding  me  with  a  look  of 
a  very  mingled  cast. 

"  Quite  true,  sir,"  said  T,  replying  to  the  accusation  that 
his  manner  implied ;  "  but  equally  so,  that  I  neither  knew 
of  his  plot  nor  recognized  him  when  here." 

"  I  am  perfectly  sure  of  it,  my  boy,"  said  the  general ; 
"  and,  after  all,  it  was  an  excellent  joke,  —  carried  a  little 
too  far,  it 's  true ;  eh,  Lucy  ?  " 

But  Lucy  either  heard  not,  or  affected  not  to  hear ;  and 
after  some  little  further  assurance  that  he  felt  not  the  least 
annoyed,  the  general  turned  to  converse  with  some  other 
friends ;  while  I,  burning  with  indignation  against  Webber, 
took  a  cold  farewell  of  Miss  Dashwood,  and  retired. 

VOL.    I. —    11 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   L^ST    NIGHT    IN    TRINITY. 

How  I  might  have  met  Master  Webber  after  his  imper- 
sonation of  Miss  Macan,  I  cannot  possibly  figure  to  myself. 
Fortunately,  indeed,  for  all  parties,  he  left  town  early  the 
next  morning ;  and  it  was  some  weeks  ere  he  returned.  In 
the  meanwhile  I  became  a  daily  visitor  at  the  general's, 
dined  there  usually  three  or  four  times  a  week,  rode  out  with 
Lucy  constantly,  and  accompanied  her  every  evening  either 
to  the  theatre  or  into  society.  Sir  George,  possibly  from 
my  youth,  seemed  to  pay  little  attention  to  an  intimacy 
which  he  perceived  every  hour  growing  closer,  and  fre- 
quently gave  his  daughter  into  my  charge  in  our  morning 
excursions  on  horseback.  As  for  me,  my  happiness  was  all 
but  perfect.  I  loved,  and  already  began  to  hope  that  I  was 
not  regarded  with  indifference ;  for  although  Lucy's  manner 
never  absolutely  evinced  any  decided  preference  towards 
me,  yet  many  slight  and  casual  circumstances  served  to  show 
me  that  my  attentions  to  her  were  neither  unnoticed  nor  un- 
cared  for.  Among  the  many  gay  and  dashing  companions 
of  our  rides,  I  remarked  that,  however  anxious  for  such  a 
distinction,  none  ever  seemed  to  make  any  way  in  her  good 
graces ;  and  I  had  already  gone  far  in  my  self-dece})tion 
that  I  was  destined  for  good  fortune,  when  a  circumstance 
which  occurred  one  morning  at  length  served  to  Open  my 
eyes  to  the  truth,  and  blast  by  one  fatal  breath  the  whole 
harvest  of  my  hopes. 

We  were  about  to  set  out  one  morning  on  a  long  ride, 
when  Sir  George's  presence  was  reqiiired  by  the  arrival  of 
an  officer  who  had  been  sent  from  the  Horse  Guards  on 
official  business.  After  half  an  hour's  delay.  Colonel  Cam- 
eron, the  officer  in  question,  was  introduced,  and  entered 
into  conversation  with  our  party.  He  had  only  landed  in 
England  from  the  Peninsula  a  few  days  before,  and  had 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  IN  TRINITY.  163 

abundant  information  of  the  stirring  events  enacting  there. 
At  the  conclusion  of  an  anecdote,  —  I  forget  what,  —  he 
turned  suddenly  round  to  Miss  Dashwood,  Avho  was  stand- 
ing beside  me,  and  said  in  a  low  voice :  — 

"And  now,  Miss  Dashwood,  I  am  reminded  of  a  com- 
mission I  promised  a  very  old  brother  officer  to  perform. 
Can  I  have  one  moment's  conversation  with  you  in  the 
window  ?  " 

As  he  spoke,  I  perceived  that  he  crumpled  beneath  his 
glove  something  like  a  letter. 

"  To  me  ?  "  said  Lucy,  with  a  look  of  surprise  that  sadly 
puzzled  me  whether  to  ascribe  it  to  coquetry  or  innocence, 
—  "to  me?" 

"To  you,"  said  the  colonel,  bowing;  "and  I  am  sadly 
deceived  by  my  friend  Hammersley  —  " 

"  Captain  Hammersley  ? "  said  she,  blushing  deeply  as 
she  spoke. 

I  heard  no  more.  She  turned  towards  the  window  with 
the  coL)nel,  and  all  I  saw  was  that  he  handed  her  a  letter, 
which,  having  hastily  broken  open  and  thrown  her  eyes 
over,  she  grew  at  first  deadly  pale,  then  red,  and  while  her 
eyes  filled  with  tears,  I  heard  her  say,  "  How  like  him ! 
How  truly  generous  this  is  !  "  I  listened  for  no  more ;  my 
brain  was  wheeling  round  and  my  senses  reeling.  I  turned 
and  left  the  room ;  in  another  moment  I  was  on  my  horse, 
galloping  from  the  spot,  despair,  in  all  its  blackness,  in  my 
heart,  and  in  my  broken-hearted  misery,  wishing  for  death. 

I  was  miles  away  from  Dublin  ere  I  remembered  well 
what  had  occurred,  and  even  then  not  over  clearly.  The 
fact  that  Lucy  Dashwood,  whom  I  imagined  to  be  my  own 
in  heart,  loved  another,  was  all  that  I  really  knew.  That 
one  thought  was  all  my  mind  was  capable  of,  and  in  it  my 
misery,  my  wretchedness  were  centred. 

Of  all  the  grief  my  life  has  known,  I  have  had  no  moments 
like  the  long  hours  of  that  dreary  night.  My  sorrow,  in 
turn,  took  every  shape  and  assumed  every  guise.  Now  I 
remembered  how  the  Dashwoods  had  courted  my  intimacy 
and  encouraged  my  visits,  —  how  Lucy  herself  had  evinced 
in  a  thousand  ways  that  she  felt  a  preference  for  me.  I 
called  to  mind  the  many  unequivocal  proofs  I  had  given 


164  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

her  that  my  feeling  at  least  was  no  common  one ;  and  yet, 
how  had  she  sported  with  my  affections,  and  jested  with 
my  happiness  !  That  she  loved  Hammersley  I  had  now  a 
palpable  proof.  That  this  affection  must  have  been  mutual, 
and  prosecuted  at  the  very  moment  I  was  not  only  pro- 
fessing my  own  love  for  her,  but  actually  receiving  all  but 
an  avowal  of  its  return,  —  oh,  it  was  too,  too  base  !  and  in 
my  deepest  heart  I  cursed  my  folly,  and  vowed  never  to 
see  her  more. 

It  was  late  on  the  next  day  ere  I  retraced  my  steps 
towards  town,  my  heart  sad  and  heavy,  careless  what  be- 
came of  me  for  the  future,  and  pondering  whether  I  should 
not  at  once  give  up  my  college  career  and  return  to  my 
uncle.  When  I  reached  my  chambers,  all  was  silent  and 
comfortless  ;  Webber  had  not  returned ;  my  servant  was 
from  home  ;  and  I  felt  myself  more  than  ever  wretched 
in  the  solitude  of  what  had  been  so  oft  the  scene  of  noisy 
and  festive  gayety.  I  sat  some  hours  in  a  half-musing 
state,  every  sad  depressing  thought  that  blighted  hopes  can 
conjure  up  rising  in  turn  before  me.  A  loud  knocking  at 
the  door  at  length  aroused  me.  I  got  up  and  opened  it. 
No  one  was  there.  I  looked  around  as  well  as  the  coming 
gloom  of  evening  would  permit,  but  saw  nothing.  I  lis- 
tened, and  heard,  at  some  distance  off,  my  friend  Power's 
manly  voice  as  he  sang,  — 

"  Oh,  love  is  the  soul  of  an  Irish  dragoon!  " 

I  hallooed  out,  "  Power  !  " 

"  Eh,  O'Malley,  is  that  you  ?  "  inquired  he.  "  Why,  then, 
it  seems  it  required  some  deliberation  whether  you  opened 
your  door  or  not.  Why,  man,  you  can  have  no  great  gift  of 
prophecy,  or  you  would  n't  have  kept  me  so  long  there." 

"  And  have  you  been  so  ?  " 

*•  Only  twenty  minutes ;  for  as  T  saw  the  key  in  the  lock, 
I  had  determined  to  succeed  if  noise  would  do  it." 

"  How  strange  !     I  never  heard  it." 

"  Glorious  sleeper  you  must  be ;  but  come,  my  dear  fel- 
low, you  don't  appear  altogether  awake  yet." 

"  I  have  not  been  quite  well  these  few  days." 

"  Oh,  indeed !    The  Dashwoods  thought  there  must  have 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  IN  TRINITY.  165 

been  something  of  that  kind  the  matter  by  your  brisk  re- 
treat. They  sent  me  after  you  yesterday ;  but  wherever 
you  went,  Heaven  knows.  I  never  could  come  up  with  you ; 
so  that  your  great  news  has  been  keeping  these  twenty-four 
hours  longer  than  need  be." 

"  I  am  not  aware  what  you  allude  to." 

"  Well,  you  are  not  over  likely  to  be  the  wiser  when  you 
hear  it,  if  you  can  assume  no  more  intelligent  look  than 
that.     Why,  man,  there 's  great  luck  in  store  for  you." 

"  As  how,  pray  ?  Come,  Power,  out  with  it ;  though  I 
can't  pledge  myself  to  feel  half  as  grateful  for  my  good 
fortune  as  I  should  do.    What  is  it  ?  " 

"  You  know  Cameron  ?  " 

"  I  have  seen  him,"  said  I,  reddening. 

"Well,  old  Camy,  as  we  used  to  call  him,  has  brought 
over,  among  his  other  news,  your  gazette." 

"  My  gazette  !    What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Confound  your  uncommon  stupidity  this  evening  !  I 
mean,  man,  that  you  are  one  of  us,  —  gazetted  to  the  14th 
Light,  —  the  best  fellows  for  love,  war,  and  whiskey  that 
ever  sported  a  sabretasche. 

'  Oh,  love  is  the  soul  of  an  Irish  dragoon  ! ' 

By  Jove,  I  am  as  delighted  to  have  rescued  you  from  the 
black  harness  of  the  King's  Bench  as  though  you  had  been 
a  prisoner  there  !  Know,  then,  friend  Charley,  that  on 
Wednesday  we  proceed  to  Fermoy,  join  some  score  of  gal- 
lant fellows,  —  all  food  for  powdei^,  —  and,  with  the  aid  of 
a  rotten  transport  and  the  stormy  winds  that  blow,  will  be 
bronzing  our  beautiful  faces  in  Portugal  before  the  month 's 
out.  But  come,  now,  let 's  see  about  supper.  Some  of  ours 
are  coming  over  here  at  eleven,  and  I  promised  them  a 
devilled  bone  ;  and  as  it 's  your  last  night  among  these 
classic  precincts,  let  us  have  a  shindy  of  it." 

While  I  despatched  Mike  to  Morrison's  to  provide  sup- 
per, I  heard  from  Power  that  Sir  George  Dashwood  had 
interested  himself  so  strongly  for  me  that  I  had  obtained 
my  cornetcy  in  the  14th ;  that,  fearful  lest  any  disappoint- 
ment might  arise,  he  had  never  mentioned  the  matter  to 
me,  but  that  he  had  previously  obtained  my  uncle's  promise 


166  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

to  concur  in  the  arrangement  if  his  negotiation  succeeded. 
It  had  so  done,  and  now  the  long-sought-for  object  of  many 
days  was  within  my  grasp.  But,  alas,  the  circumstance 
which  lent  it  all  its  fascinations  was  a  vanished  dream  ; 
and  "what  but  two  days  before  had  rendered  my  happiness 
perfect,  I  listened  to  listlessly  and  almost  without  interest. 
Indeed,  my  first  impulse  at  finding  that  I  owed  my  pro- 
motion to  Sir  George  was  to  return  a  positive  refusal  of 
the  cornetcy ;  but  then  I  remembered  how  deeply  such  con- 
duct would  hurt  my  poor  uncle,  to  whom  I  never  could  give 
an  adequate  explanation.  So  I  heard  Power  in  silence  to 
the  end,  thanked  him  sincerely  for  his  own  good-natured 
kindness  in  the  matter,  which  already,  by  the  interest  he 
had  taken  in  me,  went  far  to  heal  the  wounds  that  my  own 
solitary  musings  were  deepening  in  my  heart.  At  eighteen, 
fortunately,  consolations  are  attainable  that  become  more 
difficult  at  eight-and-twenty,  and  impossible  at  eight-and- 
thirty. 

While  Power  continued  to  dilate  upon  the  delights  of  a 
soldier's  life  —  a  theme  which  many  a  boyish  dream  had 
long  since  made  hallowed  to  my  thoughts  —  I  gradually 
felt  my  enthusiasm  rising,  and  a  certain  throbbing  at  my 
heart  betrayed  to  me  that,  sad  and  dispirited  as  I  felt, 
there  was  still  within  that  buoyant  spirit  which  youth  pos- 
sesses as  its  privilege,  and  which  answers  to  the  call  of 
enterprise  as  the  war-horse  to  the  trumpet.  That  a  career 
worthy  of  manhood,  great,  glorious,  and  inspiriting,  opened 
before  me,  coming  so  soon  after  the  late  downfall  of  ray 
hopes,  Avas  in  itself  a  source  of  such  true  pleasure  that  ere 
long  I  listened  to  my  friend,  and  heard  his  narrative  with 
breathless  interest.  A  lingering  sense  of  pique,  too,  had 
its  share  in  all  this.  I  longed  to  come  forward  in  some 
manly  and  dashing  part,  where  my  youth  might  not  be 
ever  remembered  against  me,  and  when,  having  brought 
myself  to  the  test,  I  might  no  longer  be  looked  upon  and 
treated  as  a  boy. 

We  were  joined  at  length  by  the  other  officers  of  the 
14th,  and,  to  the  number  of  twelve,  sat  down  to  supper. 

It  was  to  be  my  last  night  in  Old  Trinity,  and  we  resolved 
that  the  farewell  should  be  a  solemn  one.     Mansfield,  one 


THE  LAST  NIGHT   IN  TRINITY.  167 

of  the  wildest  young  fellows  in  the  regiment,  had  vowed 
that  the  leave-taking  should  be  commemorated  by  some  very 
decisive  and  open  expressions  of  our  feelings,  and  had  al- 
ready made  some  progress  in  arrangements  for  blowing  up 
the  great  bell,  which  had  more  than  once  obtruded  upon 
our  morning  convivialities;  but  he  was  overruled  by  his 
more  discreet  associates,  and  we  at  length  assumed  our 
places  at  table,  in  the  midst  of  which  stood  a  hecatomb  of 
all  my  college  equipments,  cap,  gown,  bands,  etc.  A  funeral 
pile  of  classics  was  arrayed  upon  the  hearth,  surmounted  by 
my  "  Book  on  the  Cellar,"  and  a  puuishment-roU  waved  its 
length,  like  a  banner,  over  the  doomed  heroes  of  Greece  and 
Rome. 

It  is  seldom  that  any  very  determined  attempt  to  be  gay 
par  excellence  has  a  perfect  success,  but  certainly  upon  this 
evening  ours  had.  Songs,  good  stories,  speeches,  toasts, 
high  visions  of  the  campaign  before  us,  the  wild  excitement 
which  such  a  meeting  cannot  be  free  from,  gradually,  as  the 
wine  passed  from  hand  to  hand,  seized  upon  all,  and  about 
four  in  the  morning,  such  was  the  uproar  we  caused,  and  so 
terrific  the  noise  of  our  proceedings,  that  the  accumulated 
force  of  porters,  sent  one  by  one  to  demand  admission,  was 
now  a  formidable  body  at  the  door,  and  Mike  at  last  came 
in  to  assure  us  that  the  bursar,  —  the  most  dread  official  of  all 
collegians,  —  was  without,  and  insisted,  with  a  threat  of  his- 
heaviest  displeasure  in  case  of  refusal,  that  the  door  should 
be  opened. 

A  committee  of  the  whole  house  immediately  sat  upon 
the  question ;  and  it  was  at  length  resolved,  nemine  contror 
dicetite,  that  the  request  should  be  complied  with.  A  fresh 
bowl  of  punch,  in  honor  of  our  expected  guest,  was  imme- 
diately concocted,  a  new  broil  put  on  the  gridiron,  and 
having  seated  ourselves  with  as  great  a  semblance  of  de- 
corum as  four  bottles  a  man  admits  of,  Curtis  the  junior 
captain,  being  most  drunk,  was  deputed  to  receive  the  bursar 
at  the  door,  and  introduce  him  to  our  august  presence. 

Mike's  instructions  were,  that  immediately  on  Dr.  Stone 
the  bursar  entering,  the  door  was  to  be  slammed  to,  and 
none  of  his  followers  admitted.  This  done,  the  doctor  waa 
to  be  ushered  in  and  left  to  our  polite  attentions. 


168  CHARLES  O'JVIALLEY. 

A  fresh  thundering  from  without  scarcely  left  time  for 
further  deliberation ;  and  at  last  Curtis  moved  towards  the 
door  in  execution  of  his  mission. 

"  Is  there  any  one  there  ?  "  said  Mike,  in  a  tone  of  most 
unsophisticated  innocence,  to  a  rapping  that,  having  lasted 
three  quarters  of  an  hour,  threatened  now  to  break  in  the 
panel.     '*  Is  there  any  one  there  ?  " 

"  Open  the  door  this  instant,  —  the  senior  bursar  desires 
you, — this  instant." 

"  Sure  it 's  night,  and  we  're  all  in  bed,"  said  Mike. 

"  Mr.  Webber,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  the  bursar,  now  boil- 
ing with  indignation,  "  I  summon  you,  in  the  name  of  the 
board,  to  admit  me." 

"  Let  the  gemman  in,"  hiccoughed  Curtis ;  and  at  the  same 
instant  the  heavy  bars  were  withdrawn,  and  the  door  opened, 
but  so  sparingly  as  with  difficulty  to  permit  the  passage  of 
the  burly  figure  of  the  bursar. 

Forcing  his  way  through,  and  regardless  of  what  became 
of  the  rest,  he  pushed  on  vigorously  through  the  ante- 
chamber, and  before  Curtis  could  perform  his  functions  of 
usher,  stood  in  the  midst  of  us.  What  were  his  feelings  at 
the  scene  before  him.  Heaven  knows.  The  number  of  figures 
in  uniform  at  once  betrayed  how  little  his  jurisdiction 
extended  to  the  great  mass  of  the  company,  and  he  imme- 
diately turned  towards  me. 

"Mr.  Webber  —  " 

"  O'Malley,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Bursar,"  said  I,  bowing  with 
most  ceremonious  politeness. 

"  No  matter,  sir ;  arcades  amho,  I  believe." 

"Both  archdeacons,"  said  Melville,  translating,  with  a 
look  of  withering  contempt  upon  the  speaker. 

The  doctor  continued,  addressing  me,  — 

"  May  I  ask,  sir,  if  you  believe  yourself  possessed  of  any 
privilege  for  converting  this  university  into  a  common 
tavern  ? " 

"  I  wish  to  Heaven  he  did,"  said  Curtis ;  "  capital  tap  your 
old  commons  Avould  make." 

"Eeall}^,  Mr.  Bursar,"  replied  I,  modestly,  "I  had  begun 
to  flatter  myself  that  our  little  innocent  gayety  had  inspired 
you  with  the  idea  of  joining  our  party." 


THE  LAST  NIGHT  IN  TRINITY.  169 

"  I  humbly  move  that  the  old  cove  in  the  gown  do  take 
the  chair,"  sang  out  one.  "  All  who  are  of  this  opinion  say, 
*  Ay.' "  A  perfect  yell  of  ayes  followed  this.  "  All  who 
are  of  the  contrary  say,  '  iSTo.'     The  ayes  have  it." 

Before  the  luckless  doctor  had  a  moment  for  thought,  his 
legs  were  lifted  from  under  him,  and  he  was  jerked,  rather 
than  placed,  upon  a  chair,  and  put  sitting  upon  the  table. 

"Mr.  O'Malley,  your  expulsion  within  twenty -four 
hours  —  " 

"  Hip,  hip,  hurra,  hurra,  hurra ! "  drowned  the  rest,  while 
Power,  taking  off  the  doctor's  cap,  replaced  it  by  a  foraging 
cap,  very  much  to  the  amusement  of  the  party. 

"There  is  no  penalty  the  law  permits  of  that  I  shall 
not  —  " 

"  Help  the  doctor,"  said  Melville,  placing  a  glass  of 
punch  in  his  unconscious  hand. 

"  Now  for  a  '  Viva  la  Compagnie  ! '  "  said  Telford,  seating 
himself  at  the  piano,  and  playing  the  first  bars  of  that  well- 
known  air,  to  which,  in  our  meetings,  we  were  accustomed 
to  improvise  a  doggerel  in  turn. 

"  I  drink  to  the  graces,  Law,  Physic,  Divinity, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  ! 
And  here's  to  the  worthy  old  Bursar  of  Trinity, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  !  " 

"Viva,  viva  la  va!"  etc.,  were  chorussed  with  a  shout 
that  shook  the  old  walls,  while  PoAver  took  up  the  strain  : 

"Though  with  lace  caps  and  gowns  they  look  so  like  asses, 

Viva  la  Compagnie ! 
They  'd  rather  have  punch  than  the  springs  of  Parnassus, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  ! 
What  a  nose  the  old  gentleman  has,  by  the  way, 

Viva  la  Compagnie  ! 
Since  he  smelt  out  the  Devil  from  Botany  Bay,^ 

Viva  la  Compagnie  !  '* 

Words  cannot  give  even  the  faintest  idea  of  the  poor 
bursar's  feelings  while  these  demoniacal  orgies  were  enact- 

^  Botany  Bay  was  the  slang  name  given  by  college  men  to  a  new  square 
rather  remotely  situated  from  the  remainder  of  the  college. 


170  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ing  around  him.  Held  fast  in  his  chair  by  Lechmere  and 
another,  he  glowered  on  the  riotous  mob  around  like  a 
maniac,  and  astonishment  that  sucli  liberties  could  be  taken 
with  one  in  his  situation  seemed  to  have  surpassed  even  his 
rage  and  resentment;  and  every  now  and  then  a  stray 
thought  would  flash  across  his  mind  that  we  were  mad,  — 
a  sentiment  which,  unfortunately,  our  conduct  was  but  too 
well  calculated  to  inspire. 

"  So  you  're  the  morning  lecturer,  old  gentleman,  and  have 
just  dropi^ed  in  here  in  the  way  of  business ;  pleasant  life 
you  must  have  of  it,"  said  Casey,  now  by  far  the  most  tipsy 
man  present. 

"If  you  think,  Mr.  O'Malley,  that  the  events  of  this 
evening  are  to  end  here  —  " 

"  Very  far  from  it.  Doctor,"  said  Power ;  "  I  '11  draw  up  a 
little  account  of  the  affair  for  '  Saunders.'  They  shall  hear 
of  it  in  every  corner  and  nook  of  the  kingdom." 

"The  bursar  of  Trinity  shall  be  a  proverb  for  a  good 
fellow  that  loveth  his  lush,"  hiccoughed  out  Fegan. 

"And  if  you  believe  that  such  conduct  is  academical," 
said  the  doctor,  with  a  withering  sneer. 

"  Perhaps  not,"  lisped  Melville,  tightening  his  belt ;  "  but 
it 's  devilish  convivial,  —  eh,  Doctor  ?  " 

"  Is  that  like  him  ?  "  said  JMoreton,  producing  a  caricature 
which  he  had  just  sketched. 

"Capital, — very  good, — perfect.  M'Cleary  shall  have 
it  in  his  window  by  noon  to-day,"  said  Power. 

At  this  instant  some  of  the  combustibles  disposed  among 
the  rejected  habiliments  of  my  late  vocation  caught  lire, 
and  squibs,  crackers,  and  detonating  shots  went  off  on  all 
sides.  The  bursar,  who  had  not  been  deaf  to  several  hints 
and  friendly  suggestions  about  setting  lire  to  him,  blowing 
him  up,  etc.,  with  one  vigorous  spring  burst  from  his  antago- 
nists, and  clearing  the  table  at  a  bound,  reached  the  floor. 
Before  he  could  be  seized,  he  had  gained  the  door,  opened 
it,  and  was  away.  We  gave  chase,  yelling  like  so  many 
devils.  But  wine  and  punch,  songs  and  speeches,  had  done 
their  work,  and  more  than  one  among  the  pursuers  measured 
his  length  upon  the  pavement ;  while  the  terrified  bursar, 
with  the  speed  of  terror,  held  on  his  way,  and  gained  his 


^i4-:&^yC(ZJ^  /n^aA^^y^Z^  ^^yy^i^n^c/i^ 


^ 


THE  LAST  NIGHT'  IN  TRINITY.  171 

chambers  by  about  twenty  yards  in  advance  of  Power  and 
Melville,  whose  pursuit  only  ended  when  the  oaken  panel 
of  the  door  shut  tliem  out  from  their  victim.  One  loud 
cheer  beneath  his  window  served  for  our  farewell  to  our 
friend,  and  we  returned  to  my  rooms.  By  this  time  a  regi- 
ment of  those  classic  functionaries  ycleped  porters  had 
assembled  around  the  door,  and  seemed  bent  upon  giving 
battle  in  honor  of  their  maltreated  ruler;  but  Power  ex- 
plained to  them,  in  a  neat  speech  replete  with  Latin  quota- 
tions, that  their  cause  was  a  weak  one,  that  we  were  more 
than  their  match,  and  finally  proposed  to  them  to  finish  the 
punch-bowl,  to  which  we  were  really  incompetent,  —  a  mo- 
tion that  met  immediate  acceptance ;  and  old  Duncan,  with 
his  helmet  in  one  hand  and  a  goblet  in  the  other,  wished  me 
many  happy  days  and  every  luck  in  this  life  as  I  stepped 
from  the  massive  archway,  and  took  my  last  farewell  of  Old 
Trinity. 

Should  any  kind  reader  feel  interested  as  to  the  ulterior 
course  assumed  by  the  bursar,  I  have  only  to  say  that  the 
terrors  of  the  "  Board  "  were  never  fulminated  against  me, 
harmless  and  innocent  as  I  should  have  esteemed  them. 
The  threat  of  giving  publicity  to  the  entire  proceedings  by 
the  papers,  and  the  dread  of  figuring  in  a  sixpenny  carica- 
ture in  M'Cleary's  window,  were  too  much  for  the  worthy 
doctor,  and  he  took  the  wiser  course  under  the  circum- 
stances, and  held  his  peace  about  the  matter.  I,  too,  have 
done  so  for  many  a  year,  and  only  now  recall  the  scene 
among  the  wild  transactions  of  early  days  and  boyish  follies. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

THE    PHfENIX    PARK. 

What  a  glorious  thing  it  is  when  our  first  waking 
thoughts  not  only  dispel  some  dark,  depressing  dream,  but 
arouse  us  to  the  consciousness  of  a  new  and  bright  career 
suddenly  opening  before  us,  buoyant  in  hope,  rich  in  promise 
for  the  future !  Life  has  nothing  better  than  this.  The 
bold  spring  by  which  the  mind  clears  the  depth  that  sepa- 
rates misery  from  happiness  is  ecstasy  itself ;  and  then  what 
a  world  of  bright  visions  come  teeming  before  us,  —  what 
plans  we  form ;  what  promises  we  make  to  ourselves  in 
our  own  hearts ;  how  prolific  is  the  dullest  imagination ; 
how  excursive  the  tamest  fancy,  at  such  a  moment !  In  a 
few  short  and  fleeting  seconds,  the  events  of  a  whole  life  are 
planned  and  pictured  before  us.  Dreams  of  happiness  and 
visions  of  bliss,  of  which  all  our  after-years  are  insufficient 
to  eradicate  the  prestige,  come  in  myriads  about  us ;  and 
from  that  narrow  aperture  through  which  this  new  hope 
pierces  into  our  heart,  a  flood  of  light  is  poured  that  illu- 
mines our  path  to  the  very  verge  of  the  grave.  How  many 
a  success  in  after-days  is  reckoned  but  as  one  step  in 
that  ladder  of  ambition  some  boyish  review  has  framed, 
perhaps,  after  all,  destined  to  be  the  first  and  only  one ! 
With  what  triumph  we  hail  some  goal  attained,  some  object 
of  our  wishes  gained,  less  for  its  present  benefit,  than  as  the 
accomplishment  of  some  youthful  prophecy,  when  picturing 
to  our  hearts  all  that  we  would  have  in  life,  we  whispered 
within  us  the  flattery  of  success. 

Who  is  there  who  has  not  had  some  such  moment ;  and 
who  would  exchange  it,  Avith  all  the  delusive  and  deceptive 
influences  by  which  it  comes  surrounded,  for  the  greatest 
actual  happiness  he  has  partaken  of?  Alas,  alas,  it  is 
only  in  the  boundless  expanse  of  such  imaginations,  unreal 
and  fictitious  as  they  are,  that  we  are  truly  blessed !     Our 


THE  PHCENIX  PARK.  173 

choicest  blessings  in  life  come  even  so  associated  with  some 
sources  of  care  tliat  the  cup  of  enjoyment  is  not  pure  but 
dregged  in  bitterness. 

To  such  a  world  of  bright  anticipation  did  I  awake  on  the 
morning  after  the  events  I  have  detailed  in  the  last  chapter. 
The  first  thing  my  eyes  fell  upon  was  an  official  letter  from 
the  Horse  Guards  :  — 

**  The  commander  of  the  forces  desires  that  Mr.  O'AEalley  will  report 
himself,  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  at  the  headt.|uarter8 
of  the  regiment  to  which  he  is  gazetted." 

Few  and  simple  as  the  lines  were,  how  brimful  of  pleasure 
they  sounded  to  my  ears.  The  regiment  to  which  I  was 
gazetted  !  And  so  I  was  a  soldier  at  last !  The  first  wish 
of  my  boyhood  was  then  really  accomplished.  And  my 
uncle,  what  will  he  say ;  what  will  he  think  ? 

"  A  letter,  sir,  by  the  post,"  said  Mike,  at  the  moment. 

I  seized  it  eagerly ;  it  came  from  home,  but  was  in  Con- 
sidine's  handwriting.  How  my  heart  failed  me  as  I  turned 
to  look  at  the  seal.  ''  Thank  God  ! "  said  I,  aloud,  on  per- 
ceiving that  it  was  a  red  one.  I  now  tore  it  open  and 
read :  — 

My  dear  Charley,  —  Godfrey,  being  laid  up  with  the  gout,  has 
desired  me  to  write  to  you  by  this  day's  post.  Your  appointment  to 
the  14th,  notwithstanding  all  his  prejudices  about  the  army,  has 
given  him  sincere  pleasure.  I  believe,  between  ourselves,  that  your 
collecje  career,  of  which  he  has  heard  something,  convinced  him  that 
your  forte  did  not  lie  in  the  classics  ;  you  know  I  said  so  always,  but 
nobody  minded  me.  Your  new  prospects  are  all  that  your  best  friends 
could  wish  for  j'ou  :  you  begin  early  ;  your  corps  is  a  crack  one  ;  you 
are  ordered  for  service.     What  could  you  have  more  ? 

Your  uncle  hopes,  if  you  can  get  a  few  days'  leave,  that  you  will 
come  down  here  before  you  join,  and  I  hope  so  too  ;  for  he  is  unu- 
sually low-spirited,  and  talks  about  his  never  seeing  you  again,  and 
all  that  sort  of  thing. 

I  have  written  to  Merivale,  your  colonel,  on  this  subject,  as  well 
as  generally  on  your  behalf.  We  were  comets  together  forty  years 
ago.  A  strict  fellow  you  '11  find  him,  but  a  trump  on  service.  If 
you  can't  manage  the  leave,  write  a  long  letter  home  at  all  events. 
And  so,  God  bless  you,  and  all  success  ! 

Yours  sincerely, 

W.  CONSIDINB, 


174  CHARLES  O'MAXLEY. 

I  had  thought  of  writing  you  a  long  letter  of  advice  for  your  new 
career ;  and,  indeed,  half  accomplished  one.  After  all,  however,  I 
oan  tell  you  little  that  your  own  good  sense  will  not  teach  you  as  you 
go  on  ;  and  experience  is  ever  better  than  precept.  I  know  of  but 
one  rule  in  life  which  admits  of  scarcely  any  exception,  and  having 
followed  it  upwards  of  sixty  years,  approve  of  it  only  tlie  more  : 
Never  quarrel  when  you  can  help  it;  but  meet  any  man, — your 
tailor,  your  hairdresser,  —  if  he  wishes  to  have  you  out. 

W.  C. 

I  had  scarcely  come  to  the  end  of  this  very  characteristic 
epistle,  when  two  more  letters  were  placed  upon  my  table. 
One  was  from  Sir  George  Dashwood,  inviting  me  to  dinner 
to  meet  some  of  my  "  brother  officers."  How  my  heart  beat 
at  the  ex])ression.  The  other  was  a  short  note,  marked 
"Private,"  from  my  late  tutor,  Dr.  Mooney,  saying,  "that 
if  I  made  a  suitable  apology  to  the  bursar  for  the  late  affair 
at  my  room,  he  might  probably  be  induced  to  abandon  any 
further  step  ;  otherwise  —  "  then  followed  innumerable 
threats  about  fine,  penalties,  expulsion,  etc.,  that  fell  most 
harmlessly  upon  my  ears.  I  accepted  the  invitation ;  de- 
clined the  apology  ;  and  having  ordered  my  horse,  cantered 
off  to  the  barracks  to  consult  my  friend  Power  as  to  all  the 
minor  details  of  my  career. 

As  the  dinner  hour  grew  near,  my  thoughts  became  again 
fixed  upon  Miss  Dashwood ;  and  a  thousand  misgivings 
crossed  my  mind  as  to  whether  I  should  have  nerve  enough 
to  meet  her,  without  disclosing  in  my  manner  the  altered 
state  of  my  feelings  ;  a  possibility  which  I  now  dreaded 
fully  as  much  as  I  had  longed  some  days  before  to  avow  my 
affection  for  her,  however  slight  its  prospect  of  return.  All 
my  valiant  resolves  and  well-contrived  plans  for  appearing 
unmoved  and  indifferent  in  her  presence,  with  which  I 
stored  my  mind  while  dressing  and  when  on  the  way  to 
dinner,  were,  however,  needless,  for  it  was  a  party  exclu- 
sively of  men ;  and  as  the  coffee  was  served  in  the  dining- 
room,  no  move  was  made  to  the  drawing-room  by  any  of 
the  company.  "Quite  as  well  as  it  is  ! "  was  my  muttered 
opinion,  as  I  got  into  my  cab  at  the  door.  "  All  is  at  an  end 
as  regards  me  in  her  esteem,  and  I  must  not  spend  my  days 
sighing  for  a  young  lady  that  cares  for  another."     Very  rea- 


TPIE  PHCENIX  PARK.  175 

sonable,  very  proper  resolutions  these  ;  but,  alas  !  I  went 
liome  to  bed,  only  to  think  half  the  night  long  of  the  fair 
Lucy,  and  dream  of  her  the  remainder  of  it. 

When  morning  dawned  my  first  thought  was.  Shall  I  see 
her  once  more  ?  Shall  I  leave  her  forever  thus  abruptly  ? 
Or,  rather,  shall  I  not  unburden  my  bosom  of  its  secret, 
confess  my  love,  and  say  farewell  ?  I  felt  such  a  course 
much  more  in  unison  with  my  wishes  than  the  day  before  ; 
and  as  Power  had  told  me  that  before  a  week  we  should 
present  ourselves  at  Fermoy,  I  knew  that  no  time  was  to  be 
lost. 

My  determination  was  taken.  I  ordered  my  horse,  and 
early  as  it  was,  rode  out  to  the  Royal  Hospital.  My  heart 
beat  so  strongly  as  I  rode  up  to  the  door  that  I  half  resolved 
to  return.  I  rang  the  bell.  Sir  George  was  in  town.  Miss 
Dashwood  had  just  gone,  five  minutes  before,  to  spend  some 
days  at  Carton.  "It  is  fate  !"  thought  I  as  I  turned  from 
the  spot  and  walked  slowly  beside  my  horse  towards  Dublin. 

In  the  few  days  that  intervened  before  my  leaving  town, 
my  time  was  occupied  from  morning  to  night ;  the  various 
details  of  my  uniform,  outfit,  etc.,  were  undertaken  for  me 
by  Power.  My  horses  were  sent  for  to  Gal  way  ;  and  I  my- 
self, with  innumerable  persons  to  see,  and  a  mass  of  busi- 
ness to  transact,  contrived  at  least  three  times  a  day  to 
ride  out  to  the  Eoyal  Hospital,  always  to  make  some  trifling 
inquiry  for  Sir  George,  and  always  to  hear  repeated  that 
Miss  Dashwood  had  not  returned. 

Thus  passed  five  of  my  last  six  days  in  Dublin ;  and  as 
the  morning  of  the  last  opened,  it  was  with  a  sorrowing 
spirit  that  I  felt  my  hour  of  departure  approach  without 
one  only  opportunity  of  seeing  Lucy,  even  to  say  good-by. 

While  Mike  Avas  packing  in  one  corner,  and  I  in  another 
was  concluding  a  long  letter  to  my  poor  uncle,  my  door 
opened  and  Webber  entered. 

"  Eh,  O'Malley,  I  'm  only  in  time  to  say  adieu,  it  seems. 
To  my  surprise  this  morning  I  found  you  had  cut  the 
*  Silent  Sister.'  I  feared  I  should  be  too  late  to  catch  one 
glimpse  of  you  ere  you  started  for  the  wars." 

"You  are  quite  right,  Master  Frank,  and  I  scarcely 
expected  to  have  seen  you.     Your  last  brilliant   achieve- 


176  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ment  at  Sir  George's  very  nearly  involved  me  in  a  serious 
scrape." 

"  A  mere  trifle.  How  confoundedly  silly  Power  must 
have  looked,  eh  ?  Should  like  so  much  to  have  seen  his 
face.  He  booked  up  next  day,  —  very  proper  fellow.  By- 
the-bye,  O'Malley,  I  rather  like  the  little  girl ;  she  is 
decidedly  pretty,  and  her  foot,  —  did  you  remark  her  foot  ? 
—  capital." 

"  Yes,  she 's  very  good-looking,"  said  I,  carelessly. 

"  I  'm  thinking  of  cultivating  her  a  little,"  said  Webber, 
pulling  up  his  cravat  and  adjusting  his  hair  at  the  glass. 
"  She  's  spoiled  by  all  the  tinsel  vaporing  of  her  hussar  and 
aide-de-camp  acquaintances;  but  something  may  be  done 
for  her,  eh  ?  " 

"  With  your  most  able  assistance  and  kind  intentions." 

"  That 's  what  I  mean  exactly.  Sorry  you  're  going,  — 
devilish  sorry.  You  served  out  Stone  gloriously  :  perhaps 
it 's  as  well,  though,  —  you  know  they  'd  have  expelled  you ; 
but  still  something  might  turn  up.  Soldiering  is  a  bad  style 
of  thing,  eh  ?  How  the  old  general  did  take  his  sister-in- 
law's  presence  to  heart !  But  he  must  forgive  and  forget, 
for  I  am  going  to  be  very  great  friends  with  him  and 
Lucy.     Where  are  you  going  now  ?  " 

"  I  am  about  to  try  a  new  horse  before  troops,"  said  I. 
"  He  's  stanch  enough  with  the  cry  of  the  fox-pack  in  his 
ears  ;  but  I  don't  know  how  he  '11  stand  a  peal  of  artillery." 

"  Well,  come  along,"  said  Webber ;  "  I  '11  ride  with  you." 
So  saying,  we  mounted  and  set  off  to  the  Park,  where  two 
regiments  of  cavalry  and  some  horse  a.rtillery  were  ordered 
for  inspection. 

The  review  was  over  when  we  reached  the  exercising 
ground,  and  we  slowly  walked  our  horses  towards  the  end 
of  the  Park,  intending  to  return  to  Dublin  by  the  road.  We 
had  not  proceeded  far,  when,  some  hundred  yards  in  ad- 
vance, we  perceived  an  officer  riding  with  a  lady,  followed 
by  an  orderly  dragoon. 

"  There  he  goes,"  said  Webber ;  "  I  wonder  if  he  'd  ask 
me  to  dinner,  if  I  were  to  throw  myself  in  his  way  ?  " 

"  Who  do  you  mean  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Sir  George  Dashwood,  to  be  sure,  and,  la  voila,  Miss 


THE  PHCEXIX  PARK.  177 

Lucy.  The  little  darling  rides  well,  too ;  how  squarely  she 
sits  her  horse.  O'Malley,  I  've  a  weakness  there ;  upon  my 
soul  I  have." 

"  Very  possible,"  said  I ;  "  I  am  aware  of  another  friend 
of  mine  participating  in  the  sentiment." 

"  One  Charles  O'Malley,  of  his  Majesty's  —  " 

"  Nonsense,  man  ;  no,  no.  I  mean  a  very  different  person, 
and,  for  all  I  can  see,  with  some  reason  to  hope  for  success." 

"  Oh,  as  to  that,  we  flatter  ourselves  the  thing  does  not 
present  any  very  considerable  difficulties." 

"  As  how,  pray  ?  " 

"Why,  of  course,  like  all  such  matters,  a  very  decisive 
determination  to  be,  to  do,  and  to  suffer,  as  Lindley  Murray 
says,  carries  the  day.  Tell  her  she  's  an  angel  every  day 
for  three  weeks.  She  may  laugh  a  little  at  first,  but  she  '11 
believe  it  in  the  end.  Tell  her  that  you  have  not  the 
slightest  prospect  of  obtaining  her  affections,  but  still  per- 
sist in  loving  her.  That,  finally,  you  must  die  from  the 
effects  of  despair,  etc.,  but  rather  like  the  notion  of  it  than 
otherwise.  That  you  know  she  has  no  fortune ;  that  you 
have  n't  a  sixpence ;  and  who  should  marry,  if  people  whose 
position  in  the  world  was  similar  did  not  ?  " 

"  But  halt ;  pray,  how  are  you  to  get  time  and  place  for 
all  such  interesting  conversations  ?  " 

"  Time  and  place  !  Good  Heavens,  what  a  question !  Is 
not  every  hour  of  the  twenty -four  the  fittest  ?  Is  not  every 
place  the  most  suitable  ?  A  sudden  pause  in  the  organ  of 
St.  Patrick's  did,  it  is  true,  catch  me  once  in  a  declaration 
of  love,  but  the  choir  came  in  to  my  aid  and  drowned  the 
lady's  answer.  My  dear  O'Malley,  what  could  prevent  you 
this  instant,  if  you  are  so  disposed,  from  doing  the  amiable 
to  the  darling  Lucy  there  ?  " 

"  With  the  father  for  an  umpire  in  case  we  disagreed,'* 
said  I. 

"  Not  at  all.     I  should  soon  get  rid  of  him." 

"  Impossible,  my  dear  friend." 

"  Come  now,  just  for  the  sake  of  convincing  your  obsti- 
nacy. If  you  like  to  say  good-by  to  the  little  girl  without 
a  witness,  I  '11  take  off  the  he-dragon." 

"  You  don't  mean  —  " 

VOL.    I.  —  12 


178  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"I  do,  man;  I  do  mean  it."  So  saying,  he  drew  a  crim- 
son silk  handkerchief  from  his  pocket,  and  fastened  it 
round  his  waist  like  an  ofl&cer's  sash.  This  done,  and  tell- 
ing me  to  keep  in  their  wake  for  some  mhiutes,  he  turned 
from  me,  and  was  soon  concealed  by  a  copse  of  white-thorn 
near  us. 

I  had  not  gone  above  a  hundred  yards  farther  when  I 
heard  Sir  George's  voice  calling  for  the  orderly.  I  looked 
and  saw  Webber  at  a  considerable  distance  in  front,  curvet- 
ting and  playing  all  species  of  antics.  The  distance  be- 
tween the  general  and  myself  was  now  so  short  that  I 
overheard  the  following  dialogue  with  his  sentry :  — 

"  He  's  not  in  uniform,  then  ?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  he  has  a  round  hat." 

"  A  round  hat ! " 

"His  sash  —  " 

"  A  sword  and  sash.  This  is  too  bad.  I  'm  determined 
to  find  him  out." 

"  How  d'  ye  do.  General  ?  "  cried  Webber,  as  he  rode 
towards  the  trees. 

"  Stop,  sir ! "  shouted  Sir  George. 

"  Good-day,  Sir  George,"  replied  Webber,  retiring. 

"Stay  where  you  are,  Lucy,"  said  the  general  as,  dash- 
ing spurs  into  his  horse,  he  sprang  forward  at  a  gallop, 
incensed  beyond  endurance  that  his  most  strict  orders 
should  be  so  openly  and  insultingly  transgressed. 

Webber  led  on  to  a  deep  hollow,  where  the  road  passed 
between  two  smooth  slopes,  covered  with  furze-trees,  and 
from  which  it  emerged  afterwards  in  the  thickest  and  most 
intricate  part  of  the  Park.  Sir  George  dashed  boldly 
after,  and  in  less  than  half  a  minute  both  were  lost  to 
my  view,  leaving  me  in  breathless  amazement  at  Master 
Frank's  ingenuity,  and  some  puzzle  as  to  my  own  future 
movements. 

"  Now  then,  or  never  ! "  said  I,  as  I  pushed  boldly  for- 
ward, and  in  an  instant  was  alongside  of  Miss  Dashwood. 

Her  astonishment  at  seeing  me  so  suddenly  increased  the 
confusion  from  which  I  felt  myself  suffering,  and  for  some 
minutes  I  could  scarcely  speak.  At  last  I  plucked  up  cour- 
age a  little,  and  said :  — 


THE  PHCENIX  PARK.  179 

"Miss  Dash  wood,  I  have  looked  most  anxiously,  for  the 
last  four  days,  for  the  moment  which  chance  has  now  given 
me.  I  wished,  before  I  parted  forever  with  those  to  whom 
I  owe  already  so  much,  that  I  should  at  least  speak  my 
gratitude  ere  I  said  good-by." 

"  But  when  do  you  think  of  going  ?  " 

"To-morrow.  Captain  Power,  under  whose  command  I 
am,  has  received  orders  to  embark  immediately  for 
Portugal." 

I  thought  —  perhaps  it  was  but  a  thought  —  that  her  cheek 
grew  somewhat  paler  as  I  spoke  ;  but  she  remained  silent ; 
and  I,  scarcely  knowing  what  I  had  said,  or  whether  I  had 
finished,  spoke  not  either. 

"Papa,  I'm  sure,  is  not  aware,"  said  she,  after  a  long 
pause,  "  of  your  intention  of  leaving  so  soon,  for  only  last 
night  he  spoke  of  some  letters  he  meant  to  give  you  to 
some  friends  in  the  Peninsula;  besides,  I  know,"  here  she 
smiled  faintly,  —  "that  he  destined  some  excellent  advice 
for  your  ears,  as  to  your  new  path  in  life,  for  he  has  an  im- 
mense opinion  of  the  value  of  such  to  a  young  officer." 

"I  am,  indeed,  most  grateful  to  Sir  George,  and  truly 
never  did  any  one  stand  more  in  need  of  counsel  than  I 
do."  This  was  said  half  musingly,  and  not  intended  to  be 
heard. 

"Then,  pray,  consult  papa,"  said  she,  eagerly;  "he  is 
much  attached  to  you,  and  will,  I  am  certain,  do  all  in  his 
power  —  " 

"  Alas  !  I  fear  not.  Miss  Dashwood." 

"Wliy,  what  can  you  mean.  Has  anything  so  serious 
occurred  ?  " 

"  No,  no ;  I  'm  but  misleading  you,  and  exciting  your  sym-' 
pathy  with  false  pretences.  Should  I  tell  you  all  the  truth, 
you  would  not  pardon,  perhaps  not  hear  me." 

"  You  have,  indeed,  puzzled  me ;  but  if  there  is  anything 
in  which  my  father  —  " 

"  Less  him  than  his  daughter,"  said  I,  fixing  my  eyes  full 
upon  her  as  I  spoke.  "  Yes,  Lucy,  I  feel  I  must  confess  it, 
cost  what  it  may ;  I  love  you.  Stay,  hear  me  out ;  I  know 
the  fruitlessness,  the  utter  despair,  that  awaits  such  a  senti- 
ment.    My  own  heart  tells  me  that  I  am  not,  cannot  be, 


180  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

loved  in  retiirn ;  yet  would  I  rather  cherish  in  its  core  my 
affection,  slighted  and  unblessed,  such  as  it  is,  than  own 
another  heart,  I  ask  for  nothing,  I  hope  for  nothing;  I 
merely  entreat  that,  for  my  truth,  I  may  meet  belief,  and 
for  my  heart's  worship  of  her  whom  alone  I  can  love,  com- 
passion. 'I  see  that  you  at  least  pity  me.  Nay,  one  word 
more  ;  I  have  one  favor  more  to  ask,  —  it  is  my  last,  my  only 
one.  Do  not,  when  time  and  distance  may  have  separated 
us,  perhaps  forever,  think  that  the  expressions  I  now  use 
are  prompted  by  a  mere  sudden  ebullition  of  boyish  feeling ; 
do  not  attribute  to  the  circumstance  of  my  youth  alone  the 
warmth  of  the  attachment  I  profess,  —  for  I  swear  to  you,  by 
every  hope  that  I  have,  that  in  my  heart  of  hearts  my  love 
to  you  is  the  source  and  spring  of  every  action  in  my  life, 
of  every  aspiration  in  my  heart ;  and  when  I  cease  to  love 
you,  I  shall  cease  to  feel. 

"  And  now,  farewell,  —  farewell  forever ! "  I  pressed  her 
hand  to  my  lips,  gave  one  long,  last  look,  turned  my  horse 
rapidly  away,  and  ere  a  minute  was  far  out  of  sight  of  where 
I  had  left  her. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

THE   ROAD. 

Power  was  detained  in  town  by  some  orders  from  the 
adjutant-general,  so  that  I  started  for  Cork  the  next  morn- 
ing with  no  other  companion  than  my  servant  Mike.  For 
the  first  few  stages  upon  the  road,  my  own  thoughts  suffi- 
ciently occupied  me  to  render  me  insensible  or  indifferent  to 
all  else.  My  opening  career,  the  prospects  my  new  life  as 
a  soldier  held  out,  my  hopes  of  distinction,  my  love  of  Lucy 
with  all  its  train  of  doubts  and  fears,  passed  in  review  before 
me,  and  I  took  no  note  of  time  till  far  past  noon.  I  now 
looked  to  the  back  part  of  the  coach,  where  Mike's  voice  had 
been,  as  usual,  in  the  ascendant  for  some  time,  and  perceived 
that  he  was  surrounded  by  an  eager  auditory  of  four  raw 
recruits,  who,  under  the  care  of  a  sergeant,  were  proceeding 
to  Cork  to  be  enrolled  in  their  regiment.  The  sergeant, 
whose  minutes  of  wakefulness  were  only  those  when  the 
coach  stopped  to  change  horses,  and  when  he  got  down  to 
mix  a  "  summat  hot,"  paid  little  attention  to  his  followers, 
leaving  them  perfectly  free  in  all  their  movements,  to  listen 
to  Mike's  eloquence  and  profit  by  his  suggestions,  should 
they  deem  fit.  Master  Michael's  services  to  his  new  ac- 
quaintances, I  began  to  perceive,  were  not  exactly  of  the 
same  nature  as  Dibdin  is  reported  to  have  rendered  to  our 
navy  in  the  late  war.  Far  from  it.  His  theme  was  no  con- 
temptuous disdain  for  danger;  no  patriotic  enthusiasm  to 
fight  for  home  and  country ;  no  proud  consciousness  of  British 
valor,  mingled  with  the  appropriate  hatred  of  our  mutual  ene- 
mies, — on  the  contrary,  Mike's  eloquence  was  enlisted  for  the 
defendant.  He  detailed,  and  in  no  unimpressive  way  either, 
the  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life,  —  its  dangers,  its  vicissi- 
tudes, its  chances,  its  possible  penalties,  its  inevitably  small 
rewards ;  and,  in  fact,  so  completely  did  he  work  on  the  feel- 
ings of  his  hearers  that  I  perceived  more  than  one  glance 


182  CHARLES   O'M^VLLEY. 

exchanged  between  the  victims  tliat  certainly  betokened  any- 
thing save  the  resolve  to  iight  for  King  George.  It  was  at 
the  close  of  a  long  and  most  powerful  appeal  upon  the  supe- 
riority of  any  other  line  in  life,  petty  larceny  and  small 
felony  inclusive,  that  he  concluded  with  the  following 
quotation :  — 

'*  Thrue  for*  ye,  boys  ! 

'  With  your  red  scarlet  coat, 
You  're  as  proud  as  a  goat, 

And  your  long  cap  and  feather.' 

But,  by  the  piper  that  played  before  Moses  !  it 's  more 
whipping  nor  gingerbread  is  going  on  among  them,  av  ye 
knew  but  all,  and  heerd  the  misfortune  that  happened  to 
my  father." 

"  And  was  he  a  sodger  ?  "  inquired  one. 

*'  Troth  was  he,  more  sorrow  to  him  ;  and  was  n't  he  a'most 
whipped  one  day  for  doing  what  he  was  bid '?  " 

"  Musha,  but  that  was  hard  ! "' 

"  To  be  sure  it  was  hard ;  but  f aix,  when  my  father  seen 
that  they  didn't  know  their  own  minds,  he  thought,  any- 
how, he  knew  his,  so  he  ran  away,  —  and  devil  a  bit  of  him 
they  ever  cotch  afther.  May  be  ye  might  like  to  hear  the 
story ;  and  there  's  instruction  in  it  for  yez,  too." 

A  general  request  to  this  end  being  preferred  by  the  com- 
pany, Mike  took  a  shrewd  look  at  the  sergeant,  to  be  sure 
that  he  was  still  sleeping,  settled  his  coat  comfortably  across 
his  knees,  and  began  :  — 

*'  Well,  it 's  a  good  many  years  ago  my  father  'listed  in 
the  North  Cork,  just  to  oblige  Mr.  Barry,  the  landlord  there. 
*  For,'  says  he,  '  Phil,'  says  he,  '  it 's  not  a  soldier  ye  '11  be  at 
all,  but  my  own  man,  to  brush  my  clothes  and  go  errands, 
and  the  like  o'  that ;  and  the  king,  long  life  to  him !  will 
help  to  pay  ye  for  your  trouble.  Ye  understand  me  ? ' 
Well,  my  father  agreed,  and  Mr.  Barry  was  as  good  as  his 
word.  Never  a  guard  did  my  father  mount,  nor  as  much  as 
a  drill  had  he,  nor  a  roll-call,  nor  anything  at  all,  save  and 
except  wait  on  the  captain,  his  master,  just  as  pleasant  as 
need  be,  and  no  inconvenience  in  life. 

"  Well,  for  three  years  this  went  on  as  I  am  telling,  and 


THE   ROAD.        '  183 

the  regiment  was  ordered  down  to  Bantry,  because  of  a  re- 
port that  the  '  boys  '  was  rising  down  there  ;  and  the  second 
evening  there  was  a  night  party  patrolling  with  Captain 
Barry  for  six  hours  in  the  rain,  and  the  captain,  God  be 
marciful  to  him  !  tuk  could  and  died.  More  by  token,  they 
said  it  was  drink,  but  my  father  says  it  was  n't :  '  for,'  says 
he,  'after  he  tuk  eight  tumblers  comfortable,'  my  father 
mixed  the  ninth,  and  the  captain  waived  his  hand  this  way, 
as  much  as  to  say  he  'd  have  no  more.  '  Is  it  that  ye  mean  ?  ' 
says  my  father ;  and  the  captain  nodded.  '  Musha,  but  it 's 
sorry  I  am,'  says  my  father,  '  to  see  you  this  way ;  for  ye 
must  be  bad  entirely  to  leave  off  in  the  beginning  of  the 
evening.'  And  thrue  for  him,  the  captain  was  dead  in  the 
morning. 

"  A  sorrowful  day  it  was  for  my  father  when  he  died.  It 
was  the  finest  place  in  the  world ;  little  to  do,  plenty  of  di- 
varsion,  and  a  kind  man  he  was,  —  when  he  was  drunk. 
Well,  then,  when  the  captain  was  buried  and  all  was  over, 
my  father  hoped  they  'd  be  for  letting  him  away,  as  he  said, 
'  Sure,  I  'm  no  use  in  life  to  anybody,  save  the  man  that 's 
gone,  for  his  ways  are  all  I  know,  and  I  never  was  a  sodger.' 
But,  upon  my  conscience,  they  had  other  thoughts  in  their 
heads,  for  they  ordered  him  into  the  ranks  to  be  drilled  just 
like  the  recruits  they  took  the  day  before. 

"'Musha,  is  n't  th^s  hard  ?  '  said  my  father.  ' Here  I  am, 
an  ould  vitrin  that  ought  to  be  discharged  on  a  pension  with 
two-and-sixpence  a  day,  obliged  to  go  capering  about  the  bar- 
rack-yard, practising  the  goose-step,  or  some  other  nonsense 
not  becoming  my  age  nor  my  habits.'  But  so  it  was.  Well, 
this  went  on  for  some  time,  and  sure,  if  they  were  hard  on 
my  father,  had  n't  he  his  revenge ;  for  he  nigh  broke  their 
hearts  with  his  stupidity.  Oh,  nothing  in  life  could  equal 
him !  Devil  a  thing,  no  matter  how  easy,  he  could  learn  at 
all ;  and  so  far  from  caring  for  being  in  confinement,  it  was 
that  he  liked  best.  Every  sergeant  in  the  regiment  had  a 
trial  of  him,  but  all  to  no  good ;  and  he  seemed  striving  so 
hard  to  learn  all  the  while  that  they  were  loath  to  punish 
him,  the  ould  rogue  ! 

"  This  was  going  on  for  some  time,  when,  one  day,  news 
came  in  that  a  body  of  the  rebels,  as  they  called  them,  was 


184  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

coming  down  from  the  Gap  of  Mulnavick  to  storm  the  town 
and  burn  all  before  them.  The  whole  regiment  was  of  coorse 
under  arms,  and  great  preparations  was  made  for  a  battle. 
Meanwhile  patrols  were  ordered  to  scour  the  roads,  and  sen- 
tries posted  at  every  turn  of  the  way  and  every  rising  ground 
to  give  warning  when  the  boys  came  in  sight ;  and  my  father 
was  placed  at  the  Bridge  of  Drumsnag,  in  the  wildest  and 
bleakest  part  of  the  whole  country,  with  nothing  but  furze 
mountains  on  every  side,  and  a  straight  road  going  over  the 
top  of  them. 

" '  This  is  pleasant,'  says  my  father,  as  soon  as  they  left 
him  there  alone  by  himself,  with  no  human  creature  to  speak 
to,  nor  a  whiskey-shop  within  ten  miles  of  him  ;  '  cowld  com- 
fort,' says  he,  '  on  a  winter's  day ;  and  faix,  but  I  have  a 
mind  to  give  ye  the  slip.' 

"  Well,  he  put  his  gun  down  on  the  bridge,  and  he  lit  his 
pipe,  and  he  sat  down  under  an  ould  tree  and  began  to  rumi- 
nate upon  his  affairs. 

" '  Oh,  then,  it 's  wishing  it  well  I  am,'  says  he, '  for  sodger- 
ing ;  and  bad  luck  to  the  hammer  that  struck  the  shilling 
that  'listed  me,  that's  all,'  for  he  was  mighty  low  in  his 
heart. 

"Just  then  a  noise  came  rattling  down  near  him.  He 
listened,  and  before  he  could  get  on  his  legs,  down  comes 
the  general,  ould  Cohoon,  with  an  orderly  after  him. 

"  *  Who  goes  there  ? '  says  my  father. 

" '  The  round,'  says  the  general,  looking  about  all  the  time 
to  see  where  was  the  sentry,  for  my  father  was  snug  under 
the  tree. 

"  '  What  round  ? '  says  my  father, 

"  '  The  grand  round,'  says  the  general,  more  puzzled  than 
afore. 

"  '  Pass  on,  grand  round,  and  God  save  you  kindly  ! '  says 
my  father,  putting  his  pipe  in  his  movith  again,  for  he  thought 
all  was  over. 

" '  D — n  yoiir  soul,  where  are  you  ? '  says  the  general,  for 
sorrow  bit  of  my  father  could  he  see  yet. 

" '  It 's  here  I  am,'  says  he,  '  and  a  cowld  place  I  have  of 
it;  and  if  it  was  n't  for  the  pipe  I  'd  be  lost  entirely.' 

"  The  words  was  n't  well  out  of  his  mouth  when  the  gen- 


THE   ROAD.  185 

eral  began  laughing,  till  ye  'd  think  he  'd  fall  off  his  horse ; 
and  the  dragoon  behind  him  —  more  by  token,  they  say  it 
wasn't  right  for  him  —  laughed  as  loud  as  himself. 

"'Yer  a  droll  sentry/  says  the  general,  as  soon  as  he 
could  speak. 

'•' '  Be-gorra,  it 's  little  fun  there  's  left  in  me,'  says  my 
father,  '  with  this  drilling,  and  parading,  and  blackguarding 
about  the  roads  all  night.' 

"  *  And  is  this  the  way  you  salute  your  officer  ? '  says  the 
general. 

" '  Just  so,'  says  my  father ;  '  devil  a  more  politeness  ever 
they  taught  me.' 

"  '  What  regiment  do  you  belong  to  ?  '  says  the  general. 

" '  The  North  Cork,  bad  luck  to  them  ! '  says  my  father, 
with  a  sigh. 

" '  They  ought  to  be  proud  of  ye/  says  the  general. 

"'I'm  sorry  for  it,'  says  my  father,  sorrowfully,  'for 
may  be  they  '11  keep  me  the  longer.' 

"'Well,  my  good  fellow,'  says  the  general,  'I  haven't 
more  time  to  waste  here ;  but  let  me  teach  you  something 
before  I  go.  Whenever  your  officer  passes,  it's  your  duty 
to  present  to  him.' 

"  '  Arrah,  it 's  jokin'  ye  are,'  says  my  father. 

"  *  No,  I  'm  in  earnest,'  says  he,  '  as  ye  might  learn,  to 
your  cost,  if  I  brought  you  to  a  court-martial.' 

" '  Well,  there  's  no  knowing,'  says  my  father,  '  what 
they  'd  be  up  to  ;  but  sure,  if  that 's  all,  I  '11  do  it,  with  all 
"  the  veins,"  whenever  yer  coming  this  way  again.' 

"  The  general  began  to  laugh  again  here  ;  but  said,  — 

"  '  I  'm  coming  back  in  the  evening,'  says  he,  '  and  mind 
you  don't  forget  your  respect  to  your  officer.' 

" '  Never  fear,  sir,'  says  my  father  ;  '  and  many  thanks  to 
you  for  your  kindness  for  telling  me.' 

"  Away  went  the  general,  and  the  orderly  after  him,  and 
in  ten  minutes  they  were  out  of  sight. 

"  The  night  was  falling  fast,  and  one  half  of  the  moun- 
tain was  quite  dark  already,  when  my  father  began  to  think 
they  were  forgetting  him  entirely.  He  looked  one  way,  and 
he  looked  another,  but  sorra  bit  of  a  sergeant's  guard  was 
coming  to  relieve  him.     There  he  was,  fresh  and  fasting, 


186  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

and  dare  n't  go  for  the  bare  life.  'I'll  give  yon  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  more,'  says  my  father,  '  till  the  light  leaves  that 
rock  up  there  ;  after  that,'  says  he,  '  by  the  Mass !  I  '11  be 
off,  aA'  it  cost  me  what  it  may.' 

"  Well,  sure  enough,  his  courage  was  not  needed  this 
time ;  for  what  did  he  see  at  the  same  moment  but  a 
shadow  of  something  coming  down  the  road  opposite  the 
bridge.  He  looked  again  ;  and  then  he  made  out  the  gen- 
eral himself,  that  was  walking  his  horse  down  the  steep 
part  of  the  mountain,  followed  by  the  orderly.  My  father 
immediately  took  up  his  musket  off  the  wall,  settled  his 
belts,  shook  the  ashes  out  of  his  pipe  and  put  it  into  his 
pocket,  making  himself  as  smart  and  neat-looking  as  he 
could  be,  determining,  when  ould  Cohoon  came  up,  to  ask 
him  for  leave  to  go  home,  at  least  for  the  night.  Well,  by 
this  time  the  general  was  turning  a  sharp  part  of  the  cliff 
that  looks  down  upon  the  bridge,  from  where  you  might 
look  five  miles  round  on  every  side.  '  He  sees  me,'  says  my 
father  ;  '  but  I  '11  be  just  as  quick  as  himself.'  No  sooner 
said  than  done ;  for  coming  forward  to  the  parapet  of 
the  bridge,  he  up  with  his  musket  to  his  shoulder,  and 
presented  it  straight  at  the  general.  It  was  n't  well  there, 
when  the  officer  pulled  up  his  horse  quite  short,  and 
shouted  oiTt,  '  Sentry !  sentry  ! ' 

" '  Anan  ?  '  says  my  father,  still  covering  him. 

"'Down  with  your  musket  you  rascal.  Don't  you  see  it's 
the  grand  round  ? ' 

"  '  To  be  sure  I  do,'  says  my  father,  never  changing  for  a 
minute. 

"  '  The  ruffian  will  shoot  me,'  says  the  general. 

"  '  Devil  a  fear,'  says  my  father,  '  av  it  does  n't  go  off  of 
itself.' 

"  '  ^Yh.a.t  do  you  mean  by  that,  you  villian  ?  '  says  the 
general,  scarcely  able  to  speak  with  fright,  for  every  turn 
he  gave  on  his  horse,  my  father  followed  with  the  gun,  — 
*  what  do  you  mean  ? ' 

" '  Sure,  ain't  I  presenting  ?  '  says  my  father.  '  Blood 
an  ages  !  do  you  want  me  to  lire  next  ?  ' 

"  With  that  the  general  drew  a  pistol  from  his  holster, 
and  took  deliberate  aim  at  my  father ;  and  there  they  both 


THE  ROAD.  187 

stood  for  five  minutes,  looking  at  each  other,  the  orderly  all 
the  while  breaking  his  heart  laughing  behind  a  rock  ;  for, 
ye  see,  the  general  knew  av  he  retreated  that  my  father 
might  fire  on  jDurpose,  and  av  he  came  on,  that  he  might 
fire  by  chance,  — and  sorra  bit  he  knew  what  was  best  to  be 
done. 

"'Are  ye  going  to  pass  the  evening  up  there,  grand 
round  ? '  says  my  father ;  '  for  it 's  tired  I  'm  getting 
houldin'  this  so  long.' 

"  '  Fort  arms  ! '  shouted  the  general,  as  if  on  parade. 

" '  Sure  I  can't,  till  yer  past,'  says  my  father,  angrily ; 
*  and  my  hands  trembling  already.' 

" '  By  Heavens  !  I  shall  be  shot,'  says  the  general. 

" '  Be-gorra,  it 's  what  I  'm  afraid  of,'  says  my  father ; 
and  the  words  was  n't  out  of  his  mouth  before  off  went  the 
musket,  bang !  —  and  down  fell  the  general,  smack  on  the 
ground,  senseless.  Well  the  orderly  ran  out  at  this,  and 
took  him  up  and  examined  his  wound ;  but  it  was  n't  a 
wound  at  all,  only  the  wadding  of  the  gun.  For  my  father 
—  God  be  kind  to  him  !  —  ye  see,  could  do  nothing  right ; 
and  so  he  bit  off  the  wrong  end  of  the  cartridge  when  he 
put  it  in  the  gun,  and,  by  reason,  there  was  no  bullet  in  it. 
Well,  from  that  day  after  they  never  got  a  sight  of  him  ; 
for  the  instant  that  the  general  dropped,  he  sprang  over 
the  bridge-wall  and  got  away  ;  and  what,  between  living  in 
a  lime-kiln  for  two  months,  eating  nothing  but  blackberries 
and  sloes,  and  other  disguises,  he  never  returned  to  the 
army,  but  ever  after  took  to  a  civil  situation,  and  driv  a 
hearse  for  many  years." 

How  far  Mike's  narrative  might  have  contributed  to  the 
support  of  his  theory,  I  am  unable  to  pronounce ;  for  his 
auditory  were,  at  some  distance  from  Cork,  made  to  descend 
from  their  lofty  position  and  join  a  larger  body  of  recruits, 
all  proceeding  to  the  same  destination,  under  a  strong 
escort  of  infantry.  For  ourselves,  we  reached  the  "beau- 
tiful city"  in  due  time,  and  took  up  our  quarters  at  the 
Old  George  Hotel. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

CORK. 

The  undress  rehearsal  of  a  new  piece,  with  its  dirty- 
booted  actors,  its  cloaked  and  hooded  actresses  en  iKipillote, 
bears  about  the  same  relation  to  the  gala,  wax-lit,  and  be- 
spangled ballet,  as  the  raw  young  gentleman  of  yesterday 
to  the  epauletted,  belted,  and  sabretasched  dragoon,  whose 
transformation  is  due  to  a  few  hours  of  head-quarters,  and 
a  few  interviews  with  the  adjutant. 

So,  at  least,  I  felt  it ;  and  it  was  with  a  very  perfect  con- 
currence in  his  Majesty's  taste  in  a  uniform,  and  a  most 
entire  approval  of  the  regimental  tailor,  that  I  strutted 
down  George's  Street  a  few  days  after  my  arrival  in  Cork. 
The  transports  had  not  as  yet  come  round;  there  was  a 
great  doubt  of  their  doing  so  for  a  week  or  so  longer ; 
and  I  found  myself  as  the  dashing  cornet,  the  centre  of  a 
thousand  polite  attentions  and  most  kind  civilities. 

The  officer  under  whose  orders  I  was  placed  for  the  time 
was  a  great  friend  of  Sir  George  Dashwood's,  and  paid  me, 
in  consequence,  much  attention.  Major  Dairy mple  had 
been  on  the  staff  from  the  commencement  of  his  military 
career,  had  served  in  the  commissariat  for  some  time, 
was  much  on  foreign  stations ;  but  never,  by  any  of  the 
many  casualties  of  his  life,  had  he  seen  what  could  be  called 
service.  His  ideas  of  the  soldier's  profession  were,  there- 
fore, what  might  almost  be  as  readily  picked  up  by  a  com- 
mission in  the  battle-axe  guards,  as  one  in  his  Majesty's 
Fiftieth.  He  was  now  a  species  of  district  paymaster, 
employed  in  a  thousand  ways,  either  inspecting  recruits, 
examining  accounts,  revising  sick  certificates,  or  receiving 
contracts  for  mess  beef.  Whether  the  nature  of  his  mani- 
fold occupations  had  enlarged  the  sphere  of  his  talents  and 
ambition,  or  whether  the  abilities  had  suggested  the  variety 
of  his  duties,  I  know  not,  but  truly  the  major  was  a  man  of 


CORK.  189 

all  work.  No  sooner  did  a  young  ensign  join  his  regiment 
at  Cork,  than  Major  Dairy mple's  card  was  left  at  his 
quarters  ;  the  next  day  came  the  major  himself;  the  third 
brought  an  invitation  to  dinner ;  on  the  fourth  he  was  told 
to  drop  in,  in  the  evening ;  and  from  thenceforward,  he 
was  the  ami  de  la  maison,  in  company  with  numerous  others 
as  newly-fledged  and  inexperienced  as  himself. 

One  singular  feature  of  the  society  at  the  house  was  that 
although  the  major  was  as  well  known  as  the  flag  on  Spike 
Island,  yet  somehow,  no  ofiicer  above  the  rank  of  an  ensign 
was  ever  to  be  met  with  there.  It  was  not  that  he  had  not 
a  large  acquaintance ;  in  fact,  the  "  How  are  you,  Major  ?  " 
*'  How  goes  it,  Dalrymple  ?  "  that  kept  everlastingly  going 
on  as  he  walked  the  streets,  proved  the  reverse ;  but  strange 
enough,  his  predilections  leaned  towards  the  newly  gazetted, 
far  before  the  bronzed  and  seared  campaigners  who  had  seen 
the  world,  and  knew  more  about  it.  The  reasons  for  this 
line  of  conduct  were  twofold.  In  the  first  place,  there  was 
not  an  article  of  outfit,  from  a  stock  to  a  sword-belt,  that  he 
could  not  and  did  not  supply  to  the  young  officer,  —  from  the 
gorget  of  the  infantry  to  the  shako  of  the  grenadier,  all  came 
within  his  province ;  not  that  he  actually  kept  a  viagasln  of 
these  articles,  but  he  had  so  completely  interwoven  his  in- 
terests with  those  of  numerous  shopkeepers  in  Cork  that  he 
rarely  entered  a  shop  over  whose  door  Dalrymple  &  Co. 
might  not  have  figured  on  the  sign-board.  His  stables  were 
filled  with  a  perfect  infirmary  of  superanuated  chargers,  fat- 
tened and  conditioned  up  to  a  miracle,  and  groomed  to  per- 
fection. He  could  get  you  —  only  you  —  about  three  dozen 
of  sherry  to  take  out  with  you  as  sea-store  ;  he  knew  of  such 
a  servant ;  he  chanced  upon  such  a  camp-furniture  yester- 
day in  his  w'alks  ;  in  fact,  why  want  for  anything  ?  His  re- 
sources were  inexhaustible ;  his  kindness  unbounded. 

Then  money  was  no  object,  —  hang  it,  you  could  pay  when 
you  liked;  what  signified  it?  In  other  words,  a  bill  at 
thirty-one  days,  cashed  and  discounted  by  a  friend  of  the 
major's,  would  always  do.  While  such  were  the  unlimited 
advantages  his  acquaintance  conferred,  the  sphere  of  his 
benefits  took  another  range.  The  major  had  two  daughters  ; 
Matilda  and  Fanny  were  as  well  known  in  the  army  as  Lord 


190  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

Fitzroy  Somerset,  or  Picton,  from  the  Isle  of  Wight  to  Hali- 
fax, from  Cape  Coast  to  Chatham,  from  Belfast  to  the  Ber- 
mudas. Where  was  the  subaltern  who  had  not  knelt  at  the 
shrine  of  one  or  the  other,  if  not  of  both,  and  vowed  eternal 
love  until  a  change  of  quarters  ?  In  plain  words,  the  major's 
solicitude  for  the  service  was  such,  that,  not  content  with 
providing  the  young  officer  with  all  the  necessary  outfit  of 
his  profession,  he  longed  also  to  supply  him  with  a  comforter 
for  his  woes,  a  charmer  for  his  solitary  hours,  in  the  person 
of  one  of  his  amiable  daughters.  Unluckily,  however,  the 
necessity  for  a  wife  is  not  enforced  by  "  general  orders,"  as 
is  the  cut  of  your  coat,  or  the  length  of  your  sabre ;  conse- 
quently, the  major's  success  in  the  home  department  of  his 
diplomacy  was  not  destined  for  the  same  happy  results  that 
awaited  it  when  engaged  about  drill  trousers  and  camp  ket- 
tles, and  the  Misses  Dalrymple  remained  misses  through 
every  clime  and  every  campaign.  And  yet,  why  was  it  so  ? 
It  is  hard  to  say.  What  would  men  have  ?  Matilda  was  a 
dark-haired,  dark-eyed,  romantic-looking  girl,  with  a  tall 
figure  and  a  slender  waist,  with  more  poetry  in  her  head 
than  would  have  turned  any  ordinary  brain;  always  un- 
happy, in  need  of  consolation,  never  meeting  with  the  kin- 
dred spirit  that  understood  her,  destined  to  walk  the  world 
alone,  her  fair  thoughts  smothered  in  the  recesses  of  her  own 
heart.  Devilish  hard  to  stand  this,  when  you  began  in  a 
kind  of  platonic  friendship  on  both  sides.  More  than  one 
poor  fellow  nearly  succumbed,  particularly  when  she  came 
to  quote  Cowley,  and  told  him,  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  — 

''  There  are  hearts  that  live  and  love  alone,"  etc. 

I  'm  assured  that  this  coup-de-grace  rarely  failed  in  being 
followed  by  a  downright  avowal  of  open  love,  which,  some- 
how, what  between  the  route  coming,  what  Avith  waiting  for 
leave  from  home,  etc.,  never  got  further  than  a  most  tender 
scene,  and  exchange  of  love  tokens ;  and,  in  fact,  such  be- 
came so  often  the  termination,  that  Power  swears  Matty 
had  to  make  a  firm  resolve  about  cutting  off  any  more 
hair,  fearing  a  premature  baldness  during  the  recruiting 
season. 


CORK.  191 

Kow,  Fanny  had  selected  another  arm  of  the  service. 
Her  hair  was  fair ;  her  eyes  blue,  laughing,  languishing,  — 
mischief-loving  Blue,  with  long  lashes,  and  a  look  in  them 
that  was  wont  to  leave  its  impression  rather  longer  than  you 
exactly  knew  of ;  then,  her  figure  was  petite,  but  perfect ; 
her  feet  Canova  might  have  copied;  and  her  hand  was  a 
study  for  Titian ;  her  voice,  too,  was  soft  and  musical,  but 
full  of  that  galete  de  cceur  that  never  fails  to  charm.  While 
her  sister's  style  was  il  li&nseroso,  hers  was  V allegro  ;  every 
imaginable  thing,  place,  or  person  supplied  food  for  her 
mirth,  and  her  sister's  lovers  all  came  in  for  their  share. 
She  hunted  with  Smith  Barry's  hounds ;  she  yachted  with 
the  Cove  Club ;  she  coursed,  practised  at  a  mark  with  a 
pistol,  and  played  chicken  hazard  with  all  the  cavalry,  —  for, 
let  it  be  remarked  as  a  physiological  fact,  Matilda's  admirers 
were  almost  invariably  taken  from  the  infantry,  while 
Fanny's  adorers  were  as  regularly  dragoons.  Whether  the 
former  be  the  romantic  arm  of  the  service,  and  the  latter  be 
more  adapted  to  dull  realities,  or  whether  the  phenomenon 
had  any  other  explanation,  I  leave  to  the  curious.  Now, 
this  arrangement,  proceeding  upon  that  principle  which  has 
wrought  such  wonders  in  Manchester  and  Sheffield,  —  the 
division  of  labor,  — was  a  most  wise  and  equitable  one,  each 
having  her  one  separate  and  distinct  field  of  action,  in- 
terference was  impossible ;  not  but  that  when,  as  in  the 
present  instance,  cavalry  was  in  the  ascendant,  Fanny  would 
willingly  spare  a  dragoon  or  two  to  her  sister,  who  likewise 
would  repay  the  debt  when  occasion  offered. 

The  mamma  —  for  it  is  time  I  should  say  something  of 
the  head  of  the  family  —  was  an  excessively  fat,  coarse- 
looking,  dark-skinned  personage,  of  some  fifty  years,  with  a 
voice  like  a  boatswain  in  a  quinsy.  Heaven  can  tell,  per- 
haps, why  the  worthy  major  allied  his  fortunes  with  hers, 
for  she  was  evidently  of  a  very  inferior  rank  in  society, 
could  never  have  been  aught  than  downright  ugly,  and  I 
never  heard  that  she  brought  him  any  money.  "  Spoiled 
five,"  the  national  amusement  of  her  age  and  sex  in  Cork, 
scandal,  the  changes  in  the  army  list,  the  failures  in  specu- 
lation of  her  luckless  husband,  the  forlorn  fortunes  of  the 
girls,  her  daughters,  kept  her  in  occupation,  and  her  days 


192  CHARLES  O'MAXLEY. 

were  passed  in  one  perpetual,  unceasing  current  of  dissatis- 
faction and  ill-temper  with  all  around,  that  formed  a  heavy 
counterpoise  to  the  fascinations  of  the  young  ladies.  The 
repeated  jiltings  to  which  they  had  been  subject  had  blunted 
any  delicacy  upon  the  score  of  their  marriage ;  and  if  the 
newly-introduced  cornet  or  ensign  was  not  coming  forward, 
as  became  him,  at  the  end  of  the  requisite  number  of  days, 
he  was  sure  of  receiving  a  very  palpable  admonition  from 
Mrs.  Dalrymple.  Hints,  at  first  dimly  shadowed,  that  Ma- 
tilda was  not  in  spirits  this  morning ;  that  Fanny,  poor  child, 
had  a  headache,  —  directed  especially  at  the  culprit  in  ques- 
tion, —  grew  gradually  into  those  little  motherly  fondnesses 
in  mamma,  that,  like  the  fascination  of  the  rattlesnake,  only 
lure  on  to  ruin.  The  doomed  man  was  pressed  to  dinner 
when  all  others  were  permitted  to  take  their  leave ;  he  was 
treated  like  one  of  the  family,  God  help  him  !  After  dinner, 
the  major  would  keep  him  an  hour  over  his  wine,  discussing 
the  misery  of  an  ill-assorted  marriage ;  detailing  his  own 
happiness  in  marrying  a  woman  like  the  Tonga  Islander  I 
have  mentioned ;  hinting  that  girls  should  be  brought  up, 
not  only  to  become  companions  to  their  husbands,  but  with 
ideas  fitting  their  station ;  if  his  auditor  were  a  military 
man,  that  none  but  an  old  officer  (like  him)  could  know  how 
to  educate  girls  (like  his)  ;  and  that  feeling  he  possessed 
two  such  treasures,  his  whole  aim  in  life  was  to  guard  and 
keep  them,  —  a  difficult  task,  when  proposals  of  the  most 
flattering  kind  were  coming  constantly  before  him.  Then 
followed  a  fresh  bottle,  during  which  the  major  would  con- 
sult his  young  friend  upon  a  very  delicate  affair,  —  no  less 
than  a  proposition  for  the  hand  of  Miss  Matilda,  or  Fanny, 
whichever  he  was  supposed  to  be  soft  upon.  This  was  gen- 
erally a  cou2)-de-maitre  ;  should  he  still  resist,  he  was  handed 
over  to  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  with  a  strong  indictment  against 
him,  and  rarely  did  he  escape  a  heavy  sentence.  !N"ow,  is  it 
not  strange  that  two  really  pretty  girls,  with  fully  enough 
of  amiable  and  pleasing  qualities  to  have  excited  the  atten- 
tion and  won  the  affections  of  many  a  man,  should  have 
gone  on  for  years,  —  for,  alas  !  they  did  so  in  every  climate, 
under  every  sun, — to  waste  their  sweetness  in  this  misera- 
ble career  of  intrigue  and  man-trap,  and  yet  nothing  come 


CORK.  193 

of  it  ?  But  so  it  was.  The  first  question  a  newly -landed 
regiment  was  asked,  if  coming  from  where  they  resided, 
was,  "  Well,  how  are  the  girls  ?  "  "  Oh,  gloriously.  Matty 
is  there."  "  Ah,  indeed  !  poor  thing."  •'  Has  Fan  sported  a 
new  habit  ?  "  "  Is  it  the  old  gray  with  the  hussar  braiding  ? 
Confound  it,  that  was  seedy  when  I  saw  them  in  Corfu. 
And  Mother  Dal  as  fat  and  vulgar  as  ever  ?  "  *'  Dawson  of 
ours  was  the  last,  and  was  called  up  for  sentence  when  we 
were  ordered  away;  of  course,  he  bolted,"  etc.  Such  was 
the  invariable  style  of  question  and  answer  concerning  them ; 
and  although  some  few,  either  from  good  feeling  or  fas- 
tidiousness, relished  but  little  the  mode  in  which  it  had 
become  habitual  to  treat  them,  I  grieve  to  say  that,  gen- 
erally, they  were  pronounced  fair  game  for  every  species  of 
flirtation  and  love-making  without  any  "  intentions  "  for  the 
future.  I  should  not  have  trespassed  so  far  upon  my  read- 
ers' patience,  were  I  not,  in  recounting  these  traits  of  my 
friends  above,  narrating  matters  of  history.  How  many  are 
there  who  may  cast  their  eyes  upon  these  pages,  that  will 
say,  "  Poor  Matilda !  I  knew  her  at  Gibraltar.  Little  Fanny 
was  the  life  and  soul  of  us  all  in  Quebec." 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  the  adjutant,  as  I  presented  myself 
in  the  afternoon  of  my  arrival  in  Cork  to  a  short,  punchy, 
little  red-fa,ced  gentleman,  in  a  short  jacket  and  ducks,  "you 
are,  I  perceive,  appointed  to  the  14th;  you  will  have  the 
goodness  to  appear  on   parade   to-morrow  morning.     The 

riding-school  hours  are .    The  morning  drill  is ; 

evening  drill  .     Mr.  Minchin,  you  are  a  14th  man,  I 

believe  ?  No,  I  beg  pardon !  a  carbineer ;  but  no  matter. 
Mr.  O'Malley,  Mr.  Minchin;  Captain  Dounie,  Mr.  O'Malley. 
You  '11  dine  with  us  to-day,  and  to-morrow  you  shall  be  en- 
tered at  the  mess." 

"  Yours  are  at  Santarem,  I  believe  ?  "  said  an  old,  weather- 
beaten  looking  officer  with  one  arm. 

"  I  'm  ashamed  to  say,  I  know  nothing  whatever  of  them ; 
I  received  my  gazette  unexpectedly  enough." 

"  Ever  in  Cork  before,  Mr.  O'Malley  ? '"' 

"Never,"  said  I. 

"  Glorious  place,"  lisped  a  white-eyelashed,  knocker-kneed 
ensign ;  "  splendid  gals,  eh  ?  " 

VOL.    1.  — 13 


194  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"Ah,  Brunton,"  said  Minchin,  "you  may  boast  a  little; 
but  we  poor  devils  —  " 

"  Know  the  Dais  ?  "  said  the  hero  of  the  lisp,  addressing 
me. 

"  I  have  n't  that  honor,"  I  replied,  scarcely  able  to  guess 
whether  what  he  alluded  to  were  objects  of  the  picturesque 
or  a  private  family. 

"  Introduce  him,  then,  at  once,"  said  the  adjutant ;  "  we  '11 
all  go  in  the  evening.     What  will  the  old  squaw  think  ?  " 

"Not  I,"  said  Minchin.  "  She  wrote  to  the  Duke  of  York 
about  my  helping  Matilda  at  supper,  and  not  having  any 
honorable  intentions  afterwards." 

"  We  dine  at  '  The  George '  to-day,  Mr.  O'Malley,  sharp 
seven.     Until  then  —  " 

So  saying,  the  little  man  bustled  back  to  his  accounts,  and 
I  took  my  leave  with  the  rest,  to  stroll  about  the  town  till 
dinner-time. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE    adjutant's    DINNER. 

The  adjutant's  dinner  was  as  professional  an  affair  as 
need  be,  A  circuit  or  a  learned  society  could  not  have 
been  more  exclusively  devoted  to  their  own  separate  and 
immediate  topics  than  were  we.  Pipeclay  in  all  its  vari- 
eties came  on  the  tapis ;  the  last  regulation  cap,  the  new 
button,  the  promotions,  the  general  orders,  the  colonel  and 
the  colonel's  wife,  stoppages,  and  the  mess  fund  were  all 
well  and  ably  discussed  ;  and  strange  enough,  while  the 
conversation  took  this  wide  range,  not  a  chance  allusion, 
not  one  stray  hint  ever  wandered  to  the  brave  fellows  who 
were  covering  the  army  with  glory  in  the  Peninsula,  nor 
one  souvenir  of  him  that  was  even  then  enjoying  a  fame  as 
a  leader  second  to  none  in  Europe.  This  surprised  me  not 
a  little  at  the  time ;  but  I  have  since  that  learned  how  little 
interest  the  real  services  of  an  army  possess  for  the  ears 
of  certain  officials,  who,  stationed  at  home  quarters,  pass 
their  inglorious  lives  in  the  details  of  drill,  parade,  mess- 
room  gossip,  and  barrack  scandal.  Such,  in  fact,  were  the 
dons  of  the  present  dinner.  We  had  a  commissary-general, 
an  inspecting  brigade-major  of  something,  a  physician  to 
the  forces,  the  adjutant  himself,  and  Major  Dairy mple ;  the 
hoi  polloi  consisting  of  the  raw  ensign,  a  newly-fledged  cor- 
net (Mr.  Sparks),  and  myself. 

The  commissary  told  some  very  pointless  stories  about 
his  own  department;  the  doctor  read  a  dissertation  upon 
Walcheren  fever ;  the  adjutant  got  very  stupidly  tipsy ;  and 
Major  Dalrymple  succeeded  in  engaging  the  three  juniors 
of  the  party  to  tea,  having  previously  pledged  us  to  pur- 
chase nothing  whatever  of  outfit  without  his  advice,  he 
well  knowing  (which  he  did)  how  young  fellows  like  us 
were  cheated,  and  resolving  to  be  a  father  to  us  (which  he 
certainly  tried  to  be). 


196  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

As  we  rose  from  the  table,  about  ten  o'clock,  I  felt  how 
soon  a  few  such  dinners  would  succeed  in  disenchanting 
me  of  all  my  military  illusions  ;  for,  young  as  I  was,  I  saw 
that  the  commissary  was  a  vulgar  bore,  the  doctor  a  hum- 
bug, the  adjutant  a  sot,  and  the  major  himself  I  greatly 
suspected  to  be  an  old  rogue. 

''  You  are  coming  with  us.  Sparks  ?  "  said  Major  Dal- 
rymple,  as  he  took  me  by  one  arm  and  the  ensign  by  the 
other.  "  We  are  going  to  have  a  little  tea  with  the  ladies  ; 
not  five  minutes'  walk." 

"  Most  happy,  sir,"  said  JNIr.  Sparks,  with  a  very  flattered 
expression  of  countenance. 

"  O'Malley,  you  know  Sparks,  and  Burton  too." 

This  served  for  a  species  of  triple  introduction,  at  which 
we  all  bowed,  simpered,  and  bowed  again.  We  were  very 
happy  to  have  the  pleasure,  etc, 

"  How  pleasant  to  get  away  from  these  fellows  !  "  said 
the  major,  "they  are  so  uncommonly  prosy!  That  com- 
missary, with  his  mess  beef,  and  old  Pritchard,  with  black 
doses  and  rigors,  —  nothing  so  insufferable  !  Besides,  in 
reality,  a  young  officer  never  needs  all  that  nonsense.  A 
little  medicine  chest  —  I  '11  get  you  one  each  to-morrow  for 
five  pounds  —  no,  five  pounds  ten  —  the  same  thing  —  that 
will  see  you  all  through  the  Peninsula.  Eemind  me  of  it  in 
the  morning."  This  we  all  promised  to  do,  and  the  major 
resumed :  "  I  say,  Sparks,  you  've  got  a  real  prize  in  that 
gray  horse,  —  such  a  trooper  as  he  is  !  O'Malley,  you  '11  be 
wanting  something  of  that  kind,  if  we  can  find  it  for  you." 

"  Many  thanks.  Major ;  but  my  cattle  are  on  the  way  here 
already.  I  've  only  three  horses,  but  I  think  they  are  toler- 
ably good  ones." 

The  major  now  turned  to  Burton  and  said  something  in 
a  low  tone,  to  which  the  other  replied,  "  Well,  if  you  say 
so,  I'll  get  ib;  but  it's  devilish  dear." 

"  Dear,  my  young  friend  !    Cheap,  dog  cheap." 

"  Only  think,  O'Malley,  a  whole  brass  bed,  camp-stool, 
basin-stand,  all  complete,  for  sixty  pounds  !  If  it  was  not 
that  a  widow  was  disposing  of  it  in  great  distress,  one  hun- 
dred could  not  buy  it.  Here  we  are ;  come  along,  —  no  cere- 
mony.    Mind  the  two  steps ;  that 's  it.     Mrs.  Dalrymple, 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  DINNER.  197 

Mr.  0']\ralley ;  ^Er.  Sparks,  Mr.  Burton,  my  daughters.  Is 
tea  over,  girls  ?  " 

"  Wliy,  Papa,  it 's  nearly  eleven  o'clock,"  said  Fanny,  as 
slie  rose  to  ring  the  bell,  displaying  in  so  doing  the  least 
possible  portion  of  a  very  well-turned  ankle. 

Miss  Matilda  Dal  laid  down  her  book,  but  seemingly  lost 
in  abstraction,  did  not  deign  to  look  at  us.  Mrs.  Dalrymple, 
however,  did  the  honors  with  much  politeness,  and  having 
by  a  few  adroit  and  well-put  queries  ascertained  everything 
concerning  our  rank  and  position,  seemed  perfectly  satisfied 
that  our  intrusion  was  justifiable. 

While  my  confrere,  Mr.  Sparks,  was  undergoing  his  exam- 
ination I  had  time  to  look  at  the  ladies,  whom  I  was  much 
surprised  at  finding  so  very  well  looking ;  and  as  the  ensign 
had  opened  a  conversation  with  Fanny,  I  approached  my 
chair  towards  the  other,  and  having  carelessly  turned  over 
the  leaves  of  the  book  she  had  been  reading,  drew  her  on  to 
talk  of  it.  As  my  acquaintance  with  young  ladies  hitherto 
had  been  limited  to  those  who  had  "  no  soul,"  I  felt  some 
difficulty  at  first  in  keeping  up  with  the  exalted  tone  of 
my  fair  companion,  but  by  letting  her  take  the  lead  for 
some  time,  I  got  to  know  more  of  the  ground.  We  went 
on  tolerably  together,  every  moment  increasing  my  stock  of 
technicals,  which  were  all  that  was  needed  to  sustain  the 
conversation.  How  often  have  I  found  the  same  plan  suc- 
ceed, whether  discussing  a  question  of  law  or  medicine, 
with  a  learned  professor  of  either !  or,  what  is  still  more 
difficult,  canvassing  the  merits  of  a  preacher  or  a  doctrine 
with  a  serious  young  lady,  whose  "  blessed  privileges  "  were 
at  first  a  little  puzzling  to  comprehend. 

I  so  contrived  it,  too,  that  Miss  Matilda  should  seem  as 
much  to  be  making  a  convert  to  her  views  as  to  have  found 
a  person  capable  of  sympathizing  with  her ;  and  thus,  long 
before  the  little  supper,  with  which  it  was  the  major's  prac- 
tice to  regale  his  friends  every  evening,  made  its  appear- 
ance, we  had  established  a  perfect  understanding  together, 
—  a  circumstance  that,  a  bystander  might  have  remarked, 
was  productive  of  a  more  widely  diffused  satisfaction  than 
I  could  have  myself  seen  any  just  cause  for.  Mr.  Burton 
was  also  progressing,  as  the  Yankees  say,  with  the  sister ; 


198  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Sparks  had  booked  himself  as  purchaser  of  military  stores 
enough  to  make  the  campaign  of  the  whole  globe  ;  and  we 
were  thus  all  evidently  fulfilling  our  various  vocations,  and 
affording  perfect  satisfaction  to  our  entertainers. 

Then  came  the  spatch-cock,  and  the  sandwiches,  and  the 
negus,  which  Fanny  first  mixed  for  papa,  and  subsequently, 
with  some  little  pressing,  for  Mr.  Burton ;  Matilda  the 
romantic  assisted  me ;  Sparks  helped  himself.  Then  we 
laughed,  and  told  stories  ;  pressed  Sparks  to  sing,  which, 
as  he  declined,  we  only  pressed  the  more.  How,  invari- 
ably, by-the-bye,  is  it  the  custom  to  show  one's  appreciation 
of  anything  like  a  butt  by  pressing  him  for  a  song !  The 
major  was  in  great  spirits  ;  told  us  anecdotes  of  his  early 
life  in  India,  and  how  he  once  contracted  to  supply  the 
troops  with  milk,  and  made  a  purchase,  in  consequence, 
of  some  score  of  cattle,  which  turned  out  to  be  bullocks. 
Matilda  recited  some  lines  from  Pope  in  my  ear.  Fanny 
challenged  Burton  to  a  rowing  match.  Sparks  listened  to 
all  around  him,  and  Mrs.  Dalrymple  mixed  a  very  little 
weak  punch,  which  Dr.  Lucas  had  recommended  to  her  to 
take  the  last  thing  at  night,  —  Nodes  coenceque,  etc.  Say 
what  you  will,  these  were  very  jovial  little  reunions.  The 
girls  were  decidedly  very  pretty.  We  were  in  high  favor ; 
and  when  we  took  leave  at  the  door,  witli  a  very  cordial 
shake  hands,  it  was  with  no  arrlere pensee  we  promised  to 
see  them  in  the  morning. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

THE     ENTANGLEMENT. 

When  we  think  for  a  moment  over  all  the  toils,  all  the 
anxieties,  all  the  fevered  excitement  of  a  grande  passion, 
it  is  not  a  little  singular  that  love  should  so  frequently  be 
elicited  by  a  state  of  mere  idleness  ;  and  yet  nothing,  after 
all,  is  so  predisposing  a  cause  as  this.  Where  is  the  man 
between  eighteen  and  eight-and-thirty  —  might  I  not  say 
forty  —  who,  without  any  very  pressing  duns,  and  having 
no  taste  for  strong  liquor  and  rouge-et-noir,  can  possibly 
lounge  through  the  long  hours  of  his  day  without  at  least 
fancying  himself  in  love  ?  The  thousand  little  occupations 
it  suggests  become  a  necessity  of  existence ;  its  very  wor- 
ries are  like  the  wholesome  opposition  that  purifies  and 
strengthens  the  frame  of  a  free  state.  Then,  what  is  there 
half  so  sweet  as  the  reflective  flattery  which  results  from 
our  appreciation  of  an  object  who  in  return  deems  us  the 
ne  plus  ultra  of  perfection  ?  There  it  is,  in  fact ;  that  con- 
founded bump  of  self-esteem  does  it  all,  and  has  more 
imprudent  matches  to  answer  for  than  all  the  occipital 
protuberances  that  ever  scared  poor  Harriet  Martineau. 

Xow,  to  apply  my  moralizing.  I  very  soon,  to  use  the 
mess  phrase,  got  "  devilish  spooney "  about  the  "  Dais." 
The  morning  drill,  the  riding-school,  and  the  parade  were 
all  most  fervently  consigned  to  a  certain  military  char- 
acter that  shall  be  nameless,  as  detaining  me  from  some 
appointment  made  the  evening  before  ;  for  as  I  supped 
there  each  night,  a  party  of  one  kind  or  another  was  always 
planned  for  the  day  following.  Sometimes  we  had  a  boat- 
ing excursion  to  Cove,  sometimes  a  picnic  at  Foaty ;  now  a 
rowing  party  to  Glanmire,  or  a  ride,  at  which  I  furnished 
the  cavalry.  These  doings  were  all  under  my  especial  direc- 
tion, and  I  thus  became  speedily  the  organ  of  the  Dalrym- 
ple  family ;  and  the  simple  phrase,  "  It  was  Mr.  O'Malley's 


200  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

arrangement,"  "  Mr.  O'Malley  wished  it,"  was  like  the  3Ioi 
le  roi  of  Louis  XIV. 

Though  all  this  while  we  continued  to  carry  on  most 
pleasantly,  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  I  could  perceive,  did  not  en- 
tirely sympathize  with  our  projects  of  amusement.  As  an 
experienced  engineer  might  feel  when  watching  the  course 
of  some  storming  projectile  —  some  brilliant  congreve  — 
flying  over  a  besieged  fortress,  yet  never  touching  the  walls 
nor  harming  the  inhabitants,  so  she  looked  on  at  all  these 
demonstrations  of  attack  with  no  small  impatience,  and 
wondered  when  would  the  breach  be  reported  practicable. 
Another  puzzle  also  contributed  its  share  of  anxiety,  — 
which  of  the  girls  was  it  ?  To  be  sure,  he  spent  three 
hours  every  morning  with  Fanny  ;  but  then,  he  never  left 
Matilda  the  whole  evening.  He  had  given  his  miniature 
to  one ;  a  locket  with  his  hair  was  a  present  to  the  sister. 
The  major  thinks  he  saw  his  arm  round  Matilda's  waist 
in  the  garden ;  the  housemaid  swears  she  saw  him  kiss 
Fanny  in  the  pantry.  Matilda  smiles  when  we  talk  of  his 
name  with  her  sister's  ;  Fanny  laughs  outright,  and  says, 
"  Poor  Matilda !  the  man  never  dreamed  of  her."  This  is 
becoming  uncomfortable.  The  major  must  ask  his  inten- 
tions. It  is  certainly  one  or  the  other ;  but  then,  we  have 
a  right  to  know  which.  Such  was  a  very  condensed  view 
of  Mrs.  Dalrymple's  reflections  on  tliis  important  topic,  — 
a  view  taken  with  her  usual  tact  and  clear-sightedness. 

Matters  were  in  this  state  when  Power  at  length  arrived 
in  Cork,  to  take  command  of  our  detachment  and  make  the 
final  preparations  for  our  departure.  I  had  been,  as  usual, 
spending  the  evening  at  the  major's,  and  had  just  reached  my 
quarters,  when  I  found  my  friend  sitting  at  my  fire,  smoking 
his  cigar  and  solacing  himself  with  a  little  brandy-and-water. 

"  At  last,"  said  he,  as  I  entered,  —  "  at  last !  Why,  where 
the  deuce  have  you  been  till  this  hour,  —  past  two  o'clock  ? 
There  is  no  ball,  no  assembly  going  on,  eh  ?  " 

"  No,"  said  I,  half  blushing  at  the  eagerness  of  the  in- 
quiry; "I've  been  spending  the  evening  Avith  a  friend." 

"  Spending  the  evening  !  Say,  rather,  the  night !  Why, 
confound  you,  man,  what  is  there  in  Cork  to  keep  you  out 
of  bed  till  near  three  ?  " 


THE   ENTANGLEMENT.  201 

"Well,  if  you  must  know,  I  have  been  supping  at  a 
Major  Dahyniple's,  —  a  devilish  good  fellow,  with  two 
such  daughters  !  " 

^'  Ahem  !  "  said  Power,  shutting  one  eye  knowingly,  and 
giving  a  look  like  a  Yorkshire  horse-dealer.     "  Go  on." 

"  Why,  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Go  on  ;  continue." 

"  I  've  finished  ;  I  've  nothing  more  to  tell." 

"  So,  they  're  here,  are  they  ?  "  said  he,  reflectingly. 

"  Wlio  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Matilda  and  Fanny,  to  be  sure." 

"  Why,  you  know  them,  then  ?  " 

"  I  should  think  I  do." 

"  Where  have  you  met  them  ?  " 

"  Where  have  I  not  ?  When  I  was  in  the  Rifles  they 
were  quartered  at  Zante.  Matilda  was  just  then  coming  it 
rather  strong  with  Villiers,  of  ours,  a  regular  greenhorn. 
Fanny,  also,  nearly  did  for  Harry  Nesbitt,  by  riding  a 
hurdle  race.  Then  they  left  for  Gibraltar,  in  the  year,  — 
what  year  was  it  ?  " 

"  Come,  come,"  said  I,  "  this  is  a  humbug  ;  the  girls  are 
quite  young;  you  just  have  heard  their  names." 

"Well,  perhaps  so;  only  tell  me  which  is  your  peculiar 
"weakness,  as  they  say  in  the  west,  and  may  be  I  '11  convince 
you." 

"  Oh,  as  to  that,"  said  I,  laughing,  "  I  'm  not  very  far  gone 
on  either  side." 

"  Then,  Matilda,  probably,  has  not  tried  you  with  Cowley, 
eh  ?  —  you  look  a  little  pink  — '  There  are  hearts  that  live 
and  love  alone.'  Oh,  poor  fellow,  you  've  got  it !  By  Jove, 
how  you  've  been  coming  it,  though,  in  ten  days  !  She  ought 
not  to  have  got  to  that  for  a  month,  at  least;  and  how  like 
a  young  one  it  was,  to  be  caught  by  the  poetry.  Oh,  Master 
Charley,  I  thought  that  the  steeple-chaser  might  have  done 
most  with  your  Galway  heart,  —  the  girl  in  the  gray  habit, 
that  sings  '  Moddirederoo,'  ought  to  have  been  the  prize ! 
Halt !  by  Saint  George,  but  that  tickles  you  also  !  Why, 
zounds,  if  I  go  on,  probably,  at  this  rate,  I  '11  find  a  tender 
spot  occupied  by  the  '  black  lady '  herself." 

It  was  no  use  concealing,  or  attempting  to  conceal,  any 


202  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

thing  from  my  inquisitive  friend ;  so  I  mixed  my  grog,  and 
opened  my  whole  heart ;  told  how  I  had  been  conducting 
myself  for  the  entire  preceding  fortnight ;  and  when  I  con- 
cluded, sat  silently  awaiting  Power's  verdict,  as  though  a 
jury  were  about  to  pronounce  upon  my  life. 

"  Have  you  ever  written  ?  " 

"  Never ;  except,  perhaps,  a  few  lines  with  tickets  for  the 
theatre,  or  something  of  that  kind." 

"  Have  you  copies  of  your  correspondence  ?  " 

"  Of  course  not.     Why,  what  do  you  mean  ?  " 

*'  Has  Mrs.  Dal  ever  been  present ;  or,  as  the  French  say, 
has  she  assisted  at  any  of  your  tender  interviews  with  the 
young  ladies  ?  " 

"  I  'm  not  aware  that  one  kisses  a  girl  before  mamma." 

"  I  'm  not  speaking  of  that ;  I  merely  allude  to  an  ordi- 
nary flirtation." 

"  Oh,  I  suppose  she  has  seen  me  attentive." 

"  Very  awkward,  indeed !  There  is  only  one  point  in 
your  favor ;  for  as  your  attentions  were  not  decided,  and  as 
the  law  does  not,  as  yet,  permit  polygamy  —  " 

"  Come,  come,  you  know  I  never  thought  of  marrying." 

"  Ah,  but  they  did." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it." 

"Ay,  but  they  did.  What  do  you  wager  but  that  the 
major  asks  your  intentions,  as  he  calls  it,  the  moment  he 
hears  the  transport  has  arrived  ?  " 

"  By  Jove !  now  you  remind  me,  he  asked  this  evening, 
when  he  could  have  a  few  minutes'  private  conversation  with 
me  to-morrow,  and  I  thought  it  was  about  some  confounded 
military  chest  or  sea-store,  or  one  of  his  infernal  contrivances 
that  he  every  day  assures  me  are  indispensable ;  though,  if 
every  oificer  had  only  as  much  baggage  as  I  have  got,  under 
his  directions,  it  would  take  two  armies,  at  least,  to  carry 
the  effects  of  the  lighting  one." 

"  Poor  fellow  !  "  said  he,  starting  upon  his  legs ;  "  what  a 
burst  you  've  made  of  it ! "  So  saying,  he  began  in  a  nasal 
twang,  — 

"  I  publish  the  banns  of  marriage  between  Charles  O'Mal- 
ley,  late  of  his  Majesty's  14th  Dragoons,  and  —  Dalrymple, 
spinster,  of  this  city  —  " 


THE  ENTANGLEMENT.  203 

"  I  '11  be  hanged  if  you  do,  though,"  said  I,  seeing  pretty 
clearly,  by  this  time,  something  of  the  estimation  my  friends 
were  held  in.  "  Come,  Power,  pull  me  through,  like  a  good 
fellow,  —  pull  me  through,  without  doing  anything  to  hurt 
the  girls'  feelings." 

"  Well,  we  '11  see  about  it,"  said  he,  —  "  we  '11  see  about  it 
in  the  morning ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  let  me  assure  you, 
the  affair  is  not  so  easy  as  you  may  at  first  blush  suppose. 
These  worthy  people  have  been  so  often  'done' — to  use 
the  cant  phrase  —  before,  that  scarcely  a  i-use  remains  un- 
tried. It  is  of  no  use  pleading  that  your  family  won't  con- 
sent; that  your  prospects  are  null ;  that  you  are  ordered  for 
India ;  that  you  are  engaged  elsewhere ;  that  you  have 
nothing  but  your  pay  ;  that  you  are  too  young  or  too  old,  — 
all  such  reasons,  good  and  valid  with  any  other  family,  will 
avail  you  little  here.  Neither  will  it  serve  your  cause  that 
you  may  be  warranted  by  a  doctor  as  subject  to  periodical 
fits  of  insanity  ;  monomaniacal  tendencies  to  cut  somebody's 
throat,  etc.  Bless  your  heart,  man,  they  have  a  soul  above 
such  littlenesses !  They  care  nothing  for  consent  of  friends, 
means,  age,  health,  climate,  prospects,  or  temper.  Firmly 
believing  matrimony  to  be  a  lottery,  they  are  not  super- 
stitious about  the  number  they  pitch  upon ;  provided  only 
that  they  get  a  ticket,  they  are  content." 

"  Then  it  strikes  me,  if  what  you  say  is  correct,  that  I 
have  no  earthly  chance  of  escape,  except  some  kind  friend 
will  undertake  to  shoot  me." 

"  That  has  been  also  tried." 

"  Why,  how  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  A  mock  duel,  got  up  at  mess,  —  we  had  one  at  Malta. 
Poor  Tickers  was  the  hero  of  that  affair.  It  was  right  well 
planned,  too.  One  of  the  letters  was  suffered,  by  mere  acci- 
dent, to  fall  into  Mrs.  Dai's  hands,  and  she  was  quite  pre- 
pared for  the  event  when  he  was  reported  shot  the  next 
morning.  Then  the  young  lady,  of  course,  whether  she 
cared  or  not,  was  obliged  to  be  perfectly  unconcerned,  lest 
the  story  of  engaged  affections  might  get  wind  and  spoil 
another  market.  The  thing  went  on  admirably,  till  one 
day,  some  few  months  later,  they  saw,  in  a  confounded 
army-list,  that  the  late  George  Vickers  was  promoted  to  the 


204  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

18th  Dragoons,  so  that  the  trick  was  discovered,  and  is,  of 
course,  stale  at  present." 

"  Then  could  I  not  have  a  wife  already,  and  a  large  family 
of  interesting  babies  ?  " 

"  No  go,  —  only  swell  the  damages,  when  they  come  to 
prosecute.  Besides,  your  age  and  looks  forbid  the  assump- 
tion of  such  a  fact.     No,  no  ;  we  must  go  deeper  to  work." 

"But  where  shall  we  go?"  said  I,  impatiently;  "for 
it  appears  to  me  these  good  people  have  been  treated  to 
every  trick  and  subterfuge  that  ever  ingenuity  suggested." 

"  Come,  1  think  I  have  it ;  but  it  will  need  a  little  more 
reflection.  So,  now,  let  us  to  bed.  I  '11  give  you  the  result 
of  my  lucubrations  at  breakfast ;  and,  if  I  mistake  not,  we 
may  get  you  through  this  without  any  ill-consequences. 
Good-night,  then,  old  boy ;  and  now  dream  away  of  your 
lady-love  till  our  next  meeting." 


CHAPTEK   XXVI. 

THE      PREPARATION. 

To  prevent  needless  repetitions  in  my  story,  I  shall  not 
record  here  the  conversation  which  passed  between  my 
friend  Power  and  myself  on  the  morning  following  at  break- 
fast. Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  plan  proposed  by  him  for 
my  rescue  was  one  I  agreed  to  adopt,  reserving  to  myself,  in 
case  of  failure,  a  j^is  aller  of  which  I  knew  not  the  mean- 
ing, but  of  whose  efficacy  Power  assured  me  I  need  not 
doubt. 

"If  all  fail,"  said  he,  —  "if  every  bridge  break  down 
beneath  you,  and  no  road  of  escape  be  left,  Avhy,  then,  I 
believe  you  must  have  recourse  to  another  alternative.  Still 
I  should  wish  to  avoid  it,  if  possible,  and  I  put  it  to  you, 
in  honor,  not  to  employ  it  unless  as  a  last  expedient.  You 
promise  me  this  ?  " 

"  Of  course,"  said  I,  with  great  anxiety  for  the  dread  final 
measure.     "  What  is  it  ?  " 

He  paused,  smiled  dubiously,  and  resumed,  — 

"  And,  after  all,  —  but,  to  be  sure,  there  will  not  be  need 
for  it, — the  other  plan  will  do,  —  must  do.  Come,  come, 
O'Malley,  the  admiralty  say  that  nothing  encourages  drown- 
ing in  the  navy  like  a  life-buoy.  The  men  have  such  a 
prospect  of  being  picked  up  that  they  don't  mind  falling 
overboard;  so,  if  I  give  you  this  life-preserver  of  mine, 
you  '11  not  swim  an  inch.     Is  it  not  so,  eh  ?  " 

"  Far  from  it,"  said  I.  "  I  shall  feel  in  honor  bound  to 
exert  myself  the  more,  because  I  now  see  how  much  it  costs 
you  to  part  with  it." 

"  Well,  then,  hear  it.  When  everything  fails  ;  when  all 
your  resources  are  exhausted ;  when  you  have  totally  lost 
your  memory,  in  fact,  and  your  ingenuity  in  excuses  say,  — 
but  mind,  Charley,  not  till  then,  —  say  that  you  must  consult 
your  friend,  Captain  Power,  of  the  14th  ;  that 's  all." 


206  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  And  is  tliis  it  ?  "  said  I,  quite  disappointed  at  the  lame 
and  impotent  conclusion  to  all  the  high-sounding  exordium ; 
"  is  this  all  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  he,  "  that  is  all.  But  stop,  Charley ;  is  not 
that  the  major  crossing  the  street  there  ?  Yes,  to  be  sure 
it  is  ;  and,  by  Jove  !  he  has  got  on  the  old  braided  frock  this 
morning.  Had  you  not  told  me  one  word  of  your  critical 
position,  I  should  have  guessed  there  was  something  in  the 
wind  from  that.  That  same  vestment  has  caused  many  a 
stout  heart  to  tremble  that  never  quailed  before  a  shot  or 
shell." 

"  How  can  that  be  ?     I  should  like  to  hear." 

"  Why,  my  dear  boy,  that 's  his  explanation  coat,  as  we 
called  it  at  Gibraltar.  He  was  never  known  to  wear  it 
except  when  asking  some  poor  fellow's  '  intentions.'  He 
would  no  more  think  of  sporting  it  as  an  every-day  affair, 
than  the  chief -justice  would  go  cock-shooting  in  his  black 
cap  and  ermine.  Come,  he  is  bound  for  your  quarters,  and 
as  it  will  not  answer  our  plans  to  let  him  see  you  now,  you 
had  better  hasten  down-stairs,  and  get  round  by  the  back 
way  into  George's  Street,  and  you  '11  be  at  his  house  before 
he  can  return." 

Following  Power's  directions,  I  seized  my  foraging-cap 
and  got  clear  out  of  the  premises  before  the  major  had 
reached  them.  It  was  exactly  noon  as  I  sounded  my  loud 
and  now  well-known  summons  at  the  major's  knocker.  The 
door  was  quickly  opened ;  but  instead  of  dashing  up-stairs, 
four  steps  at  a  time,  as  was  my  wont,  to  the  drawing-room, 
I  turned  short  into  the  dingy-looking  little  parlor  on  the 
right,  and  desired  Matthew,  the  venerable  servitor  of  the 
house,  to  say  that  I  wished  particularly  to  see  IVIrs.  Dal- 
rymple  for  a  few  minutes,  if  the  hour  were  not  inconvenient. 

There  was  something  perhaps  of  excitement  in  my  man- 
ner, some  flurry  in  my  look,  or  some  trepidation  in  my 
voice,  or  perhaps  it  was  the  unusual  hour,  or  the  still 
more  remarkable  circumstance  of  my  not  going  at  once  to 
the  drawing-room,  tliat  raised  some  doubts  in  Matthew's 
mind  as  to  the  object  of  my  visit;  and  instead  of  at  once 
complying  with  my  request  to  inform  Mrs.  Dalrymple  that 
I  was  there,  he  cautiously  closed  the  door,  and  taking  a 


THE  PREPARATION.  207 

quick  but  satisfactory  glance  round  the  apartment  to  assure 
himself  that  we  were  alone,  he  placed  his  back  against  it 
and  heaved  a  deep  sigh. 

We  were  both  perfectly  silent :  I  in  total  amazement  at 
what  the  old  man  could  possibly  mean  ;  he,  following  up 
the  train  of  his  own  thoughts,  comprehended  little  or  nothing 
of  my  surprise,  and  evidently  was  so  engrossed  by  his  re- 
flections that  he  had  neither  ears  nor  eyes  for  aught  around 
him.  There  was  a  most  singular  semi-comic  expression  in 
the  old  withered  face  that  nearly  made  me  laugh  at  first ; 
but  as  I  continued  to  look  steadily  at  it,  I  perceived  that, 
despite  the  long-worn  wrinkles  that  low  Irish  drollery  and 
fun  had  furrowed  around  the  angles  of  his  mouth,  the  real 
character  of  his  look  was  one  of  sorrowful  compassion. 

Doubtless,  my  readers  have  read  many  interesting  nar- 
ratives wherein  the  unconscious  traveller  in  some  remote 
land  has  been  warned  of  a  plan  to  murder  him,  by  some  mere 
passing  wink,  a  look,  a  sign,  which  some  one,  less  steeped 
in  crime,  less  hardened  in  iniquity  than  his  fellows,  has 
ventured  for  his  rescue.  Sometimes,  according  to  the  taste 
of  the  narrator,  the  interesting  individual  is  an  old  woman, 
sometimes  a  young  one,  sometimes  a  black-bearded  bandit, 
sometimes  a  child ;  and  not  unfrequently,  a  dog  is  humane 
enough  to  do  this  service.  One  thing,  however,  never  varies, 
— be  the  agent  biped  or  quadruped,  dumb  or  speechful,  young 
or  old,  the  stranger  invariably  takes  the  hint,  and  gets  off 
scott  free  for  his  sharjoness.  This  never-var^'ing  trick  on 
the  doomed  man,  I  had  often  been  sceptical  enough  to  sus- 
pect ;  however,  I  had  not  been  many  minutes  a  spectator  of 
the  old  man's  countenance,  when  I  most  thoroughly  recanted 
my  errors,  and  acknowledged  myself  wrong.  If  ever  the 
look  of  a  man  conveyed  a  warning,  his  did  ;  but  there  was 
more  in  it  than  even  that,  —  there  was  a  tone  of  sad  and 
pitiful  compassion,  such  as  an  old  gray-bearded  rat  might 
be  supposed  to  put  on  at  seeing  a  young  and  inexperienced 
one  opening  the  hinge  of  an  iron  trap,  to  try  its  efficacy 
upon  his  neck.  Many  a  little  occasion  had  presented 
itself,  during  my  intimacy  with  the  family,  of  doing  Mat- 
thew some  small  services,  of  making  him  some  trifling 
presents;    so  that,  when  he   assumed   before  me  the  ges- 


208  CHARLES   O'lVLVLLEY. 

ture  and  look  I  have  mentioned,  I  was  not  long  in  decipher- 
ing his  intentions. 

"Matthew!"  screamed  a  sharp  voice  which  I  recognized 
at  once  for  that  of  Mrs.  Dalrymple.  "  Matthew !  Where  is 
the  old  fool  ?  " 

But  Matthew  heard  not,  or  heeded  not. 

"  Matthew  !  Matthew  !  I  say." 

"I'm  comin',  ma'am,"  said  he,  with  a  sigh,  as,  opening 
the  parlor-door(,  he  turned  upon  me  one  look  of  such  import 
that  only  the  circumstances  of  my  story  can  explain  its 
force,  or  my  reader's  own  ingenious  imagination  can 
supply. 

"Never  fear,  my  good  old  friend,"  said  I,  grasping  his 
hand  warmly,  and  leaving  a  guinea  in  the  palm,  —  "  never 
fear." 

"  God  grant  it,  sir  ! "  said  he,  setting  on  his  wig  in  prepa- 
ration for  his  appearance  in  the  drawing-room. 

"  Matthew  !     The  old  wretch ! " 

"Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  the  often-called  jNfatthew,  as  open- 
ing the  door,  he  announced  me  unexpectedly  among  the 
ladies  there  assembled,  who,  not  hearing  of  my  approach, 
were  evidently  not  a  little  surprised  and  astonished. 

Had  I  been  really  the  enamored  swain  that  the  Dal- 
rymple family  were  willing  to  believe,  I  half  suspect  that 
the  prospect  before  me  might  have  cured  me  of  my  passion, 
A  round  bullet-head,  papillote,  with  the  "  Cork  Observer," 
where  still-born  babes  and  maids-of-all-work  were  descanted 
upon  in  very  legible  type,  was  now  the  substitute  for  the 
classic  front  and  Italian  ringlets  of  la  belle  Matilda ;  while 
the  chaste  Fanny  herself,  whose  feet  had  been  a  fortune 
for  a  statuary,  was,  in  the  most  slatternly  and  slipshod 
attire,  pacing  the  room  in  a  towering  rage,  at  some  thing, 
place,  or  person,  unknoAvn  (to  me).  If  the  ballet-master  at 
the  Academie  could  only  learn  to  get  his  imps,  demons, 
angels,  and  goblins  "  off "  half  as  rapidly  as  the  two  young 
ladies  retreated  on  my  being  announced,  I  answer  for  the 
piece  so  brought  out  having  a  run  for  half  the  season.  Be- 
fore my  eyes  had  regained  their  position  parallel  to  the 
plane  of  the  horizon,  they  were  gone,  and  I  found  myself 
alone  with  Mrs.  Dalrymple.     Now,  she  stood  her  ground 


THE  PREPARATION.  209 

partly  to  cover  the  retreat  of  the  main  body,  partly,  too, 
because  —  representing  the  baggage  wagons,  ammunition 
stores,  hospital,  staff,  etc.  —  her  retirement  from  the  field 
demanded  more  time  and  circumspection  than  the  light 
brigade. 

Let  not  my  readers  suppose  that  the  mei'e  Dairy mple  was 
so  perfectly  faultless  in  costume  that  her  remaining  was  a 
matter  of  actual  indifference  ;  far  from  it.  She  evidently 
had  a  struggle  for  it ;  but  a  sense  of  duty  decided  her,  and 
as  Ney  doggedly  held  back  to  cover  the  retreating  forces  on 
the  march  from  Moscow,  so  did  she  resolutely  lurk  behind 
till  the  last  flutter  of  the  last  petticoat  assured  her  that  the 
fugitives  were  safe.  Then  did  she  hesitate  for  a  moment 
what  course  to  take  ;  but  as  I  assumed  my  chair  beside 
her,  she  composedly  sat  down,  and  crossing  her  hands  be- 
fore her,  waited  for  an  explanation  of  this  ill-timed  visit. 

Had  the  Horse  Guards,  in  the  plenitude  of  their  power 
and  the  perfection  of  their  taste,  ordained  that  the  79th 
and  42d  Regiments  should  in  future,  in  lieu  of  their 
respective  tartans,  wear  flannel  kilts  and  black  worsted 
hose,  I  could  readily  have  fallen  into  the  error  of  mistak- 
ing Mrs.  Dalrymple  for  a  field  officer  in  the  new  regulation 
dress  ;  the  philabeg  finding  no  mean  representation  in  a 
capacious  pincushion  that  hung  down  from  her  girdle, 
while  a  pair  of  shears,  not  scissors,  corresponded  to  the 
dirk.  After  several  inelfectual  efforts  on  her  part  to  make 
her  vestment  (I  know  not  its  fitting  designation)  cover 
more  of  her  legs  than  its  length  could  possibly  effect,  and 
after  some  most  bland  smiles  and  half  blushes  at  dishahUle, 
etc.,  were  over,  and  that  I  had  apologized  most  humbly  for 
the  unusually  early  hour  of  my  call,  I  proceeded  to  open 
my  negotiations,  and  unfurl  my  banner  for  the  fray. 

"  The  old  '  Racehorse '  has  arrived  at  last,"  said  I,  with  a 
half-sigh,  "and  I  believe  that  we  shall  not  obtain  a  very 
long  time  for  our  leave-taking  ;  so  that,  trespassing  upon 
your  very  great  kindness,  I  have  ventured  upon  an  early 
call." 

"  The  '  Racehorse,'  surely  can't  sail  to-morrow,"  said  Mrs. 
Dalrymple,  whose  experience  of  such  matters  made  her  a 
very  competent  judge ;  '•'  her  stores  —  " 

VOL.    I. —  14 


210  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

"  Are  taken  in  already,"  said  I ;  "  and  an  order  from  the 
Horse  Guards  commands  us  to  embark  in  twenty-four 
hours ;  so  that,  in  fact,  we  scarcely  have  time  to  look  about 
us." 

*'  Have  you  seen  the  major  ?  "  inquired  Mrs.  Dalrymple, 
eagerly. 

"  Not  to-day,"  I  replied,  carelessly ;  "  but,  of  course, 
during  the  morning  we  are  sure  to  meet.  I  have  many 
thanks  yet  to  give  him  for  all  his  most  kind  attentions." 

"  I  know  he  is  most  anxious  to  see  you,"  said  Mrs.  Dal- 
rymple, with  a  very  peculiar  emphasis,  and  evidently  desir- 
ing that  I  should  inquire  the  reasons  of  this  anxiety.  I, 
however,  most  heroically  forbore  indulging  my  curiosity, 
and  added  that  I  should  endeavor  to  find  him  on  my  way  to 
the  barracks  ;  and  then,  hastily  looking  at  my  watch,  I  pro- 
nounced it  a  full  hour  later  than  it  really  was,  and  promis- 
ing to  spend  the  evening  —  my  last  evening  —  with  them,  I 
took  my  leave  and  hurried  away,  in  no  small  flurry  to  be 
once  more  out  of  reach  of  Mrs.  Dalrymple's  fire,  which  I 
every  moment  expected  to  open  upon  me. 


CHAPTEE  XXVII. 

THE    SUPPER. 

Power  and  I  dined  together  tete-a-ttte  at  the  hotel,  and 
sat  chatting  over  my  adventures  with  the  Dalrymples  till 
nearly  nine  o'clock. 

"  Come,  Charley,"  said  he,  at  length,  "  I  see  your  eye 
wandering  very  often  towards  the  timepiece ;  another  bum- 
per, and  I  '11  let  you  off.     What  shall  it  be  ?  " 

"What  you  like,"  said  I,  upon  whom  a  share  of  three 
bottles  of  strong  claret  had  already  made  a  very  satisfac- 
tory impression. 

"Then  champagne  for  the  coup-de-grace.  Nothing  like 
your  vin  mousseux  for  a  critical  moment, — every  bubble 
that  rises  sparkling  to  the  surface  prompts  some  bright 
thought,  or  elicits  some  brilliant  idea,  that  would  only  have 
been  drowned  in  your  more  sober  fluids.  Here 's  to  the  girl 
you  love,  whoever  she  be." 

"  To  her  bright  eyes,  then,  be  it,"  said  I,  clearing  off  a 
brimming  goblet  of  nearly  half  the  bottle,  while  my  friend 
Power  seemed  multiplied  into  any  given  number  of  gentle- 
men standing  amidst  something  like  a  glass  manufactory  of 
decanters. 

"  I  hope  you  feel  steady  enough  for  this  business,"  said 
my  friend,  examining  me  closely  with  the  candle. 

"  I  'm  an  archdeacon,"  muttered  I,  with  one  eye  involun- 
tarily closing. 
■    "  You  '11  not  let  them  double  on  you  ! " 

"  Trust  me,  old  boy,"  said  I,  endeavoring  to  look  knowing. 

"  I  think  you  '11  do,"  said  he,  "  so  now  march.  I  '11  wait 
for  you  here,  and  we  '11  go  on  board  together ;  for  old  Bloater 
the  skipper  says  he  '11  certainly  weigh  by  daybreak." 

"  Till  then,"  said  I,  as  opening  the  door,  I  proceeded  very 
cautiously  to  descend  the  stairs,  affecting  all  the  time  con- 


212  CHARLES  O'M ALLEY, 

siderable  nonchalance,  and  endeavoring,  as  well  as  my  thick- 
ened utterance  would  permit,  to  hum :  — 

"  Oh,  love  is  the  soul  of  au  Irish  dragoon." 

If  I  was  not  in  the  most  perfect  possession  of  my  faculties 
in  the  house,  the  change  to  the  open  air  certainly  but  little 
contributed  to  their  restoration  ;  and  I  scarcely  felt  myself 
in  the  street  when  my  brain  became  absolutely  one  whirl  of 
maddened  and  confused  excitement.  Time  and  space  are 
nothing  to  a  man  thus  enlightened,  and  so  they  appeared  to 
me  J  scarcely  a  second  had  elapsed  when  I  found  myself 
standing  in  the  Dalrymples'  drawing-room. 

If  a  few  hours  had  done  much  to  metamorphose  me,  certes, 
they  had  done  something  for  my  fair  friends  also  ;  anything 
more  unlike  what  they  appeared  in  the  morning  can  scarcely 
be  imagined.  Matilda  in  black,  with  her  hair  in  heavy  ma- 
donna bands  upon  her  fair  cheek,  now  paler  even  than  usual, 
never  seemed  so  handsome  ;  while  Fanny,  in  a  light-blue 
dress,  with  blue  flowers  in  her  hair,  and  a  blue  sash,  looked 
the  most  lovely  piece  of  coquetry  ever  man  set  his  eyes 
upon.  The  old  major,  too,  was  smartened  up,  and  put  into 
an  old  regimental  coat  that  he  had  worn  during  the  siege 
of  Gibraltar  ;  and  lastly,  Mrs.  Dalrymple  herself  was  attired 
in  a  very  imposing  costume  that  made  her,  to  my  not  over- 
accurate  judgment,  look  very  like  an  elderly  bishop  in  a 
flame-colored  cassock.  Sparks  was  the  only  stranger,  and 
wore  upon  his  countenance,  as  I  entered,  a  look  of  very 
considerable  embarrassment  that  even  my  thick-sightedness 
could  not  fail  of  detecting. 

ParUz-moi  de  Vamitie,  my  friends.  Talk  to  me  of  the 
warm  embrace  of  your  earliest  friend,  after  years  of  al> 
sence  ;  the  cordial  and  heartfelt  shake  hands  of  your  old 
school  companion,  when  in  after  years,  a  chance  meeting 
has  brought  you  together,  and  you  have  had  time  and  oppor- 
tunity for  becoming  distinguished  and  in  repute,  and  are 
rather  a  good  hit  to  be  known  to  than  otherwise  ;  of  the 
close  grip  you  give  your  second  when  he  comes  up  to  say, 
that  the  gentleman  with  the  loaded  detonator  opposite  won't 
fire,  that  he  feels  he  's  in  the  wrong.     Any  or  all  of  these 


THE   SUPPER.  213 

together,  very  effective  and  powerful  though  they  be,  are 
light  in  the  balance  when  compared  with  the  two-handed 
compression  you  receive  from  the  gentleman  that  expects 
you  to  marry  one  of  his  daughters. 

"  My  dear  O'Malley,  how  goes  it  ?  Thought  you  'd  never 
come,"  said  he,  still  holding  me  fast  and  looking  me  full 
in  the  face,  to  calculate  the  extent  to  which  my  potations 
rendered  his  flattery  feasible. 

''Hurried  to  death  with  preparations,  I  suppose,"  said 
Mrs.  Dalrymple,  smiling  blandly.  ''Fanny  dear,  some  tea 
for  him." 

"  Oh,  Mamma,  he  does  not  like  all  that  sugar  ;  surely  not," 
said  she,  looking  up  with  a  most  sweet  expression,  as  though 
to  say,  "  I  at  least  know  his  tastes." 

"  I  believed  you  were  going  without  seeing  us,"  whispered 
Matilda,  with  a  very  glassy  look  about  the  corner  of  her 
eyes. 

Eloquence  was  not  just  then  my  forte,  so  that  I  con- 
tented myself  with  a  very  intelligible  look  at  Fanny,  and  a 
tender  squeeze  of  JSIatilda's  hand,  as  I  seated  myself  at  the 
table. 

Scarcely  had  I  placed  myself  at  the  tea-table,  with  Matilda 
beside  and  Fanny  opposite  me,  each  vying  with  the  other  in 
their  delicate  and  kind  attentions,  when  I  totally  forgot  all 
my  poor  friend  Power's  injunctions  and  directions  for  my 
management.  It  is  true,  I  remembered  that  there  was  a 
scrape  of  some  kind  or  other  to  be  got  out  of,  and  one 
requiring  some  dexterity,  too  ;  but  what  or  with  whom  I 
could  not  for  the  life  of  me  determine.  What  the  wine  had 
begun,  the  bright  eyes  completed  ;  and  amidst  the  witchcraft 
of  silky  tresses  and  sweet  looks,  I  lost  all  my  reflection,  till 
the  impression  of  an  impending  difficulty  remained  fixed  in 
my  mind,  and  I  tortured  my  poor,  weak,  and  erring  intellect 
to  detect  it.  At  last,  and  by  a  mere  chance,  my  eyes  fell 
upon  Sparks  ;  and  by  what  mechanism  I  contrived  it,  I 
know  not,  but  I  immediately  saddled  him  with  the  whole 
of  my  annoyances,  and  attributed  to  him  and  to  his  fault 
any  embarrassment  I  labored  under. 

The  physiological  reason  of  the  fact  I  'm  very  ignorant 
of,  but  for  the  truth  and  frequency  I  can  well  vouch,  that 


214  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

there  are  certain  people,  certain  faces,  certain  voices,  cer- 
tain whiskers,  legs,  waistcoats,  and  guard-chains,  that  inevi- 
tably produce  the  most  striking  effects  upon  the  brain  of  a 
gentleman  already  excited  by  wine,  and  not  exactly  cogni- 
zant of  his  own  peculiar  fallacies. 

These  effects  are  not  produced  merely  among  those  who 
are  quarrelsome  in  their  cups,  for  I  call  the  whole  14th  to 
witness  that  I  am  not  such ;  but  to  any  person  so  disguised, 
the  inoffensiveness  of  the  object  is  no  security  on  the  other 
hand,  —  for  I  once  knew  an  eight-day  clock  kicked  down  a 
barrack  stairs  by  an  old  Scotch  major,  because  he  thought 
it  was  laughing  at  him.  To  this  source  alone,  whatever  it 
be,  can  I  attribute  the  feeling  of  rising  indignation  with 
which  I  contemplated  the  luckless  cornet,  who,  seated  at 
the  fire,  unnoticed  and  uncared  for,  seemed  a  very  unworthy 
object  to  vent  anger  or  ill-temper  upon. 

"Mr.  Sparks,  I  fear,"  said  I,  endeavoring  at  the  time  to 
call  up  a  look  of  very  sovereign  contempt,  —  "  Mr.  Sparks, 
I  fear,  regards  my  visit  here  in  the  light  of  an  intrusion." 

Had  poor  Mr.  Sparks  been  told  to  proceed  incontinently 
up  the  chimney  before  him,  he  could  not  have  looked  more 
aghast.  Reply  was  quite  out  of  his  power.  So  sudden  and 
unexpectedly  was  this  charge  of  mine  made  that  he  could 
only  stare  vacantly  from  one  to  the  other  ;  while  I,  warming 
with  my  subject,  and  perhaps  —  but  I  '11  not  swear  it  — 
stimulated  by  a  gentle  pressure  from  a  soft  hand  near  me, 
continued  :  — 

"  If  he  thinks  for  one  moment  that  my  attentions  in  this 
family  are  in  any  way  to  be  questioned  by  him,  I  can  only 
say  —  " 

"  My  dear  O'Malley,  my  dear  boy  !  "  said  the  major,  with 
the  look  of  a  father-in-law  in  his  eye. 

"  The  spirit  of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman  spoke  there," 
said  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  now  carried  beyond  all  prudence  by 
the  hope  that  my  attack  might  arouse  my  dormant  friend 
into  a  counter-declaration ;  nothing,  however,  was  further 
from  poor  Sparks,  who  began  to  think  he  had  been  uncon- 
sciously drinking  tea  with  five  lunatics. 

"  If  he  supposes,"  said  I,  rising  from  my  chair,  "  that  his 
Bilence  will  pass  with  me  as  any  palliation  —  " 


THE  SUPPER.  215 

"  Oh,  dear !  oh,  dear !  there  will  be  a  duel.  Papa,  dear, 
why  don't  you  speak  to  Mr.  O'Malley  ?  " 

"There  now,  O'Malley,  sit  down.  Don't  you  see  he  is 
quite  in  error  ?  " 

"  Then  let  him  say  so,"  said  I,  fiercely. 

"  Ah,  yes,  to  be  sure,"  said  Fanny.  "  Do  say  it ;  say  any- 
thing he  likes,  Mr.  Sparks." 

"  I  must  say,"  said  Mrs.  Dalrymple,  "  however  sorry  I  may 
feel  in  my  own  house  to  condemn  any  one,  that  Mr.  Sparks 
is  very  much  in  the  wrong." 

Poor  Sparks  looked  like  a  man  in  a  dream. 

"  If  he  will  tell  Charles,  —  Mr.  O'Malley,  I  mean,"  said 
Matilda,  blushing  scarlet,  "that  he  meant  nothing  by  what 
he  said  —  " 

"  But  I  never  spoke,  never  opened  my  lips ! "  cried  out 
the  wretched  man,  at  length  suflB.ciently  recovered  to  defend 
himself. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Sparks  ! " 

"Oh,  Mr.  Sparks!" 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Sparks  !  "  chorussed  the  three  ladies. 

While  the  old  major  brought  up  the  rear  with  an  "  Oh, 
Sparks,  I  must  say  —  " 

"  Then,  by  all  the  saints  in  the  calendar,  I  must  be  mad," 
said  he ;  "  but  if  I  have  said  anything  to  offend  you,  O'Malley, 
I  am  sincerely  sorry  for  it." 

"  That  will  do,  sir,"  said  I,  with  a  look  of  royal  condescen- 
sion at  the  amende  I  considered  as  somewhat  late  in  coming, 
and  resumed  my  seat. 

This  little  intermezzo,  it  might  be  supposed,  was  rather 
calculated  to  interrupt  the  harmon}^  of  our  evening.  Not  so, 
however.  I  had  apparently  acquitted  myself  like  a  hero, 
and  was  evidently  in  a  white  heat,  in  which  I  could  be  fash- 
ioned into  any  shape.  Sparks  was  humbled  so  far  that  he 
would  probably  feel  it  a  relief  to  make  any  proposition ;  so 
that  by  our  opposite  courses  we  had  both  arrived  at  a  point 
at  which  all  the  dexterity  and  address  of  the  family  had 
been  long  since  aiming  without  success.  Conversation  then 
resumed  its  flow,  and  in  a  few  minutes  every  trace  of  our 
late  fracas  had  disappeared. 

By  degrees  I  felt  myself  more  and  more  disposed  to  turn 


216  CHAKLES  O'M^iLLEY. 

my  attention  towards  Matilda,  and  dropping  my  voice  into 
a  lower  tone,  opened  a  flirtation  of  a  most  determined  kind 
Fanny  had,  meanwhile,  assumed  a  place  beside  Sparks,  and 
by  the  muttered  tones  that  passed  between  them,  I  could 
plainly  perceive  they  were  similarly  occupied.  The  major 
took  up  the  "  Southern  Reporter,"  of  which  he  appeared  deep 
in  the  contemplation,  while  Mrs.  Dal  herself  buried  her 
head  in  her  embroidery  and  neither  heard  nor  saw  anything 
around  her. 

I  know,  unfortunately,  but  very  little  what  passed  between 
myself  and  my  fair  companion ;  I  can  only  say  that  when 
supper  was  announced  at  twelve  (an  hour  later  than  usual), 
I  was  sitting  upon  the  sofa  with  my  arm  round  her  waist, 
my  cheek  so  close  that  already  her  lovely  tresses  brushed  my 
forehead,  and  her  breath  fanned  my  burning  brow. 

"  Supper,  at  last,"  said  the  major,  with  a  loud  voice,  to 
arouse  us  from  our  trance  of  happiness  without  taking  any 
mean  opportunity  of  looking  unobserved.  "  Supper,  Sparks, 
O'Malley ;  come  now,  it  will  be  some  time  before  we  all  meet 
this  way  again." 

"  Perhaps  not  so  long,  after  all,"  said  I,  knowingly. 

"  Very  likely  not,"  echoed  Sparks,  in  the  same  key. 

"  I  've  proposed  for  Fanny,"  said  he,  whispering  in  my 
ear. 

"  jNIatilda  's  mine,"  replied  I,  with  the  look  of  an  emperor. 

"A  word  with  you,  Major,"  said  Sparks,  his  eye  flashing 
with  enthusiasm,  and  his  cheek  scarlet.  "  One  word,  —  I  '11 
not  detain  you." 

They  withdrew  into  a  corner  for  a  few  seconds,  during 
which  Mrs.  Dalrymple  amused  herself  by  wondering  what 
the  secret  could  be,  why  Mr.  Sparks  could  n't  tell  her,  and 
Fanny  meanwhile  pretended  to  look  for  something  at  a  side 
table,  and  never  turned  her  head  round. 

"  Then  give  me  your  hand,"  said  the  major,  as  he  shook 
Sparks's  with  a  warmth  of  whose  sincerity  there  could  be  no 
question.  "  Bess,  my  love,"  said  he,  addressing  his  wife. 
The  remainder  was  lost  in  a  whisper ;  but  whatever  it  was, 
it  evidently  redounded  to  Sparks's  credit,  for  the  next 
moment  a  repetition  of  the  hand-shaking  took  place,  and 
Sparks  looked  the  happiest  of  men. 


THE   SUPPER.  217 

"A  mon  tour,''  thought  I,  "now,"  as  I  touched  the  major's 
arm,  and  led  him  towards  the  window.  What  I  said  may  be 
one  day  matter  for  Major  Dairy mple's  memoirs,  if  he  ever 
writes  them ;  but  for  my  part  I  have  not  the  least  idea.  I 
only  know  that  while  I  was  yet  speaking  he  called  over  Mrs. 
Dal,  who,  in  a  frenzy  of  joy,  seized  me  in  her  arms  and  em- 
braced me.  After  which,  I  kissed  her,  shook  hands  with  the 
major,  kissed  Matilda's  hand,  and  laughed  prodigiously,  as 
though  I  had  done  something  confoundedly  droll,  —  a  senti- 
ment evidently  participated  in  by  Sparks,  Avho  laughed  too, 
as  did  the  others ;  and  a  merrier,  happier  party  never  sat 
down  to  supper. 

"  Make  your  company  pleased  with  themselves,"  says  Mr. 
Walker,  in  his  Orir/inal  work  upon  dinner-giving,  "and 
everything  goes  on  well."  Xow,  Major  Dalrymple,  without 
having  read  the  authority  in  question,  probably  because  it 
was  not  written  at  the  time,  understood  the  principle  fully 
as  well  as  the  police-magistrate,  and  certainly  was  a  proficient 
in  the  practice  of  it. 

To  be  sure,  he  possessed  one  grand  requisite  for  success,  — . 
he  seemed  most  perfectly  happy  himself.  There  was  that 
air  degag4.  about  him  which,  when  an  old  man  puts  it  on 
among  his  juniors,  is  so  very  attractive.  Then  the  ladies,  too, 
were  evidently  well  pleased ;  and  the  usually  austere  mamma 
had  relaxed  her  "rigid  front"  into  a  smile  in  which  any 
habitue  of  the  house  could  have  read  our  fate. 

We  ate,  we  drank,  we  ogled,  smiled,  squeezed  hands  be- 
neath the  table,  and,  in  fact,  so  pleasant  a  party  had  rarely 
assembled  round  the  major's  mahogany.  As  for  me,  I  made 
a  full  disclosure  of  the  most  burning  love,  backed  by  a  re- 
solve to  marry  my  fair  neighbor,  and  settle  upon  her  a  con- 
siderably larger  part  of  my  native  county  than  I  had  ever 
even  rode  over.  Sparks,  on  the  other  side,  had  opened  his 
fire  more  cautiously,  but  whether  taking  courage  from  my 
boldness,  or  perceiving  with  envy  the  greater  estimation  I 
was  held  in,  was  now  going  the  pace  fully  as  fast  as  myself, 
and  had  commenced  explanations  of  his  intentions  with  re- 
gard to  Fanny  that  evidently  satisfied  her  friends.  Mean- 
while the  wine  was  passing  very  freely,  and  the  hints  half 
uttered  an  hour  before  began  now  to  be  more  openly  spoken 
and  canvassed. 


218  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Sparks  and  I  hob-nobbed  across  tlie  table  and  looked  un- 
speakable things  at  each  other ;  the  girls  held  down  their 
heads  ;  Mrs.  Dal  wiped  her  eyes  ;  and  the  major  pronounced 
himself  the  happiest  father  in  Europe. 

It  was  now  wearing  late,  or  rather  early;  some  gray 
streaks  of  dubious  light  were  faintly  forcing  their  way 
through  the  half-closed  curtains,  and  the  dread  thought  of 
parting  first  presented  itself.  A  cavalry  trumpet,  too,  at 
this  moment  sounded  a  call  that  aroused  us  from  our  trance 
of  pleasure,  and  warned  us  that  our  moments  were  few.  A 
dead  silence  crept  over  all ;  the  solemn  feeling  which  leave- 
taking  ever  inspires  was  uppermost,  and  none  spoke.  The 
major  was  the  first  to  break  it. 

"  O'Malley,  my  friend,  and  you,  Mr.  Sparks ;  I  must  have 
a  word  with  you,  boys,  before  we  part." 

"Here  let  it  be,  then.  Major,"  said  I,  holding  his  arm  as 
he  turned  to  leave  the  room,  —  "  here,  now ;  we  are  all  so 
deeply  interested,  no  place  is  so  fit." 

"Well,  then,"  said  the  major,  "as  you  desire  it,  now  that 
I  'm  to  regard  you  both  in  the  light  of  my  sons-in-law,  — 
at  least,  as  pledged  to  become  so,  —  it  is  only  fair  as 
respects  —  " 

"  I  see,  —  I  understand  perfectly,"  interrupted  I,  whose 
passion  for  conducting  the  w^hole  affair  myself  was  gradu- 
ally gaining  on  me.  "  "What  you  mean  is,  that  we  should 
make  known  our  intentions  before  some  mutual  friends  ere 
we  part ;  eh.  Sparks  ?  eh,  Major  ?  " 

"  Right,  my  boy,  —  right  on  every  point." 

"  Well,  then,  I  thought  of  all  that ;  and  if  you  '11  just  send 
your  servant  over  to  my  quarters  for  our  captain,  —  he  's  the 
fittest  person,  you  know,  at  such  a  time  —  " 

"  How  considerate  ! "  said  Mrs.  Dalrymple. 

"  How  perfectly  just  his  idea  is  !  "  said  the  major. 

"  We  '11  then,  in  his  presence,  avow  our  present  and  un- 
alterable determination  as  regards  your  fair  daughters  ;  and 
as  the  time  is  sliort  —  " 

Here  I  turned  towards  Matilda,  who  placed  her  arm  within 
mine ;  Sparks  possessed  himself  of  Fanny's  hand,  while  the 
major  and  his  wife  consulted  for  a  few  seconds. 

"  Well,  O'Malley,  all  you  propose  is  perfect.  Now,  then, 
for  the  captain.     Who  shall  he  inquire  for  ?  " 


r^X  r  -^ /^^y  4.^f^y^if;,,^^!^,!ii^^^n^ya'^ 


THE   SUPPER.  219 

"Oh,  an  old  friend  of  yours,"  said  I,  jocularly ;  "you'll 
be  glad  to  see  him." 

"  Indeed ! "  said  all  together. 

"  Oh,  yes,  quite  a  surprise,  I  '11  warrant  it." 

"  Who  can  it  be  ?     Who  on  earth  is  it  ?  " 

"  You  can't  guess,"  added  I,  with  a  very  knowing  look. 
"  Knew  you  at  Corfu  ;  a  very  intimate  friend,  indeed,  if  he 
tell  the  ^truth." 

A  look  of  something  like  embarrassment  passed  around 
the  circle  at  these  words,  while  I,  wishing  to  end  the  mystery, 
resumed :  — 

"  Come,  then,  who  can  be  so  proper  for  all  parties,  at  a 
moment  like  this,  as  our  mutual  friend  Captain  Power  ?  " 

Had  a  shell  fallen  into  the  cold  grouse  pie  in  the  midst  of 
us,  scattering  death  and  destruction  on  every  side,  the  effect 
could  scarcely  have  been  more  frightful  than  that  my  last 
words  produced.  Mrs.  Dalrymple  fell  with  a  sough  upon 
the  floor,  motionless  as  a  corpse ;  Fanny  threw  herself, 
screaming,  ujjon  a  sofa ;  Matilda  went  off  into  strong  hys- 
terics upon  the  hearth-rug ;  while  the  major,  after  giving 
me  a  look  a  maniac  might  have  envied,  rushed  from  the 
room  in  search  of  his  pistols  with  a  most  terrific  oath  to 
shoot  somebody,  whether  Sparks  or  myself,  or  both  of  us, 
on  his  return,  I  cannot  say.  Fanny's  sobs  and  Matilda's 
cries,  assisted  by  a  drumming  process  by  Mrs.  Dai's  heels 
upon  the  floor,  made  a  most  infernal  concert  and  effectually 
prevented  anything  like  thought  or  reflection;  and  in  all 
probability  so  overwhelmed  Avas  I  at  the  sudden  catastrophe 
I  had  so  innocently  caused,  I  should  have  waited  in  due 
patience  for  the  major's  return,  had  not  Sparks  seized  my 
arm,  and  cried  out,  — 

"  Run  for  it,  O'Malley ;  cut  like  fun,  my  boy,  or  we  're 
done  for." 

"Run;  why?  What  for?  Where?"  said  I,  stupefied 
by  the  scene  before  me. 

"  Here  he  is !  "  called  out  Sparks,  as  throwing  up  the 
window,  he  sprang  out  upon  the  stone  sill,  and  leaped  into 
the  street.  I  followed  mechanically,  and  jumped  after  him, 
just  as  the  major  had  reached  the  window.  A  ball  whizzed 
by  me,  that  soon  determined  my  further  movements ;  so, 


220  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

putting  on  all  speed,  I  flew  down  the  street,  turned  the 
corner,  and  regained  the  hotel  breathless  and  without  a  hat, 
while  Sparks  arrived  a  moment  later,  pale  as  a  ghost,  and 
trembling  like  an  aspen-leaf. 

"  Safe,  by  Jove !  "  said  Sparks,  throwing  himself  into  a 
chair,  and  panting  for  breath. 

"  Safe,  at  last,"  said  I,  without  well  knowing  why  or  for 
what. 

*'  You  've  had  a  sharp  run  of  it,  apparently,"  said  Power, 
coolly,  and  without  any  curiosity  as  to  the  cause  ;  *'  and  now, 
let  us  on  board ;  there  goes  the  trumpet  again.  The  skipper 
is  a  surly  old  fellow,  and  we  must  not  lose  his  tide  for  him." 
So  saying,  he  proceeded  to  collect  his  cloaks,  cane,  etc.,  and 
get  ready  for  departure. 


CHAPTEK  XXVIII. 

THE    VOYAGE. 

When  I  awoke  from  the  long,  sound  sleep  which  suc- 
ceeded my  last  adventure,  I  had  some  difficulty  in  remem- 
bering where  I  was  or  how  I  had  come  there.  From  my 
narrow  berth  I  looked  out  upon  the  now  empty  cabin,  and 
at  length  some  misty  and  confused  sense  of  my  situation 
crept  slowly  over  me.  I  opened  the  little  shutter  beside 
me  and  looked  out.  The  bold  headlands  of  the  southern 
coast  were  frowning  in  sullen  and  dark  masses  about  a  couple 
of  miles  distant,  and  I  perceived  that  we  were  going  fast 
through  the  water,  which  was  beautifully  calm  and  still.  I 
now  looked  at  my  watch  ;  it  was  past  eight  o'clock ;  and  as 
it  must  evidently  be  evening,  from  the  appearance  of  the 
sky,  I  felt  that  I  had  slept  soundly  for  above  twelve  hours. 

In  the  hurry  of  departure  the  cabin  had  not  been  set  to 
rights,  and  there  lay  every  species  of  lumber  and  luggage 
in  all  imaginable  confusion.  Trunks,  gun-cases,  baskets  of 
eggs,  umbrellas,  hampers  of  sea-store,  cloaks,  foraging-caps, 
maps,  and  sword-belts  were  scattered  on  every  side,  —  while 
the  debris  of  a  dinner,  not  over-remarkable  for  its  propriety 
in  table  equipage,  added  to  the  ludicrous  effect.  The  heavy 
tramp  of  a  foot  overhead  denoted  the  step  of  some  one  tak- 
ing his  short  walk  of  exercise ;  while  the  rough  voice  of  the 
skipper,  as  he  gave  the  word  to  "  Go  about ! "  all  convinced 
me  that  we  were  at  last  under  way,  and  off  to  "  the 
wars." 

The  confusion  our  last  evening  on  shore  produced  in  my 
brain  was  such  that  every  effort  I  made  to  remember  any- 
thing about  it  only  increased  my  difficulty,  and  I  felt  myself 
in  a  web  so  tangled  and  inextricable  that  all  endeavor  to 
escape  free  was  impossible.  Sometimes  I  thought  that  I 
had  really  married  Matilda  Dalrymple ;  then,  I  supposed 
that  the  father  had  called  me  out,  and  wounded  me  in  a 


222  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

duel ;  and  finally,  I  had  some  confused  notion  about  a  quar- 
rel with  Sparks,  but  what  for,  when,  and  how  it  ended,  I 
knew  not.  How  tremendously  tipsy  I  must  have  been !  was 
the  only  conclusion  I  could  draw  from  all  these  conflicting 
doubts ;  and  after  all,  it  was  the  only  thing  like  fact  that 
beamed  upon  my  mind.  How  I  had  come  on  board  and 
reached  my  berth  was  a  matter  I  reserved  for  future  in- 
quiry, resolving  that  about  the  real  history  of  my  last 
night  on  shore  I  would  ask  no  questions,  if  others  were 
equally  disposed  to  let  it  pass  in  silence. 

I  next  began  to  wonder  if  Mike  had  looked  after  all  my 
luggage,  trunks,  etc.,  and  whether  he  himself  had  been  for- 
gotten in  our  hasty  departure.  About  this  latter  point  I 
was  not  destined  for  much  doubt ;  for  a  well-known  voice, 
from  the  foot  of  the  companion-ladder,  at  once  proclaimed 
my  faithful  follower,  and  evidenced  his  feelings  at  his 
departure  from  his  home  and  country. 

Mr.  Free  was,  at  the  time  I  mention,  gathered  up  like  a 
ball  oppos'^e  a  small,  low  window  that  looked  upon  the 
bluff  headlands  now  fast  becoming  dim  and  misty  as  the 
night  approached.  He  was  apparently  in  low  spirits,  and 
hummed  in  a  species  of  low,  droning  voice,  the  following 
ballad,  at  the  end  of  each  verse  of  which  came  an  Irish 
chorus  which,  to  the  erudite  in  such  matters,  will  suggest 
the  air  of  Moddirederoo  :  — 

MICKEY  FREE'S  LAMENT. 

Then  fare  ye  well,  ould  Erin  dear  ; 

To  part,  my  heart  does  acbe  well : 
From  Carrickfergus  to  Cape  Clear, 

I  '11  never  see  your  equal. 
And  though  to  foreign  parts  we  're  bound. 

Where  cannibals  may  ate  us, 
We  '11  ne'er  forget  the  holy  ground 

Of  potteen  and  potatoes. 

Moddirederoo  aroo,  aroo,  etc. 

When  good  Saint  Patrick  banished  frogs. 
And  shook  them  from  his  garment. 

He  never  thought  \A-e  'd  f^o  abroad. 
To  live  upon  such  varmint ; 


THE  VOYAGE.  223 

Nor  quit  the  land  where  whiskey  grew 

To  wear  King  George's  button, 
Take  vinegar  for  mountain  dew, 

And  toads  for  mountain  mutton. 

Moddirederoo  aroo,  aroo,  etc. 

"I  say,  Mike,  stop  that  confounded  keen,  and  tell  me 
where  are  we  ?  " 

*'  Off  the  ould  head  of  Kinsale,  sir." 

"  Where  is  Captain  Power  ?  " 

*'  Smoking  a  cigar  on  deck,  with  the  captain,  sir." 

«  And  Mr.  Sparks  ?  " 

"  Mighty  sick  in  his  own  state-room.  Oh,  but  it 's  him- 
self has  enough  of  glory  —  bad  luck  to  it !  —  by  this  time. 
He  'd  make  your  heart  break  to  look  at  him." 

"  Wlio  have  you  got  on  board  besides  ?  " 

"  The  adjutant 's  here,  sir ;  and  an  old  gentleman  they 
call  the  major." 

"  Not  Major  Dalrymple  ?  "  said  I,  starting  up  with  terror 
at  the  thought,  "  eh,  Mike  ?  " 

"iSTo,  sir,  another  major;  his  name  is  Mulroon,  or  Mun- 
doon,  or  something  like  that." 

"  Monsoon,  you  son  of  a  lumper  potato,"  cried  out  a  surly, 
gruff  voice  from  a  berth  opposite.  "  Monsoon.  Who  's  at 
the  other  side  ?  " 

"Mr.  O'Malley,  14th,"  said  I,  by  way  of  introduction. 

"  My  service  to  you,  then,"  said  the  voice.  "  Going  to 
join  your  regiment  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  and  you,  are  you  bound  on  a  similar  errand  ?  " 

"  No,  Heaven  be  praised !  I  'm  attached  to  the  com- 
missariat, and  only  going  to  Lisbon.  Have  you  had  any 
dinner  ?  " 

"  Not  a  morsel ;  have  you  ?  " 

"  No  more  than  yourself ;  but  I  always  lie  by  for  three  or 
four  days  this  way,  till  I  get  used  to  the  confoimded  rock- 
ing and  pitching,  and  with  a  little  grog  and  some  sleep, 
get  over  the  time  gayly  enough.  Steward,  another  tumbler 
like  the  last ;  there  —  very  good  —  that  will  do.  Your  good 
health,  Mr.  —  what  was  it  you  said  ?  " 

"O'Malley." 


224  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"O'Malley  —  your  good  health!  Good-uight."  And  so 
ended  our  brief  colloquy,  and  in  a  few  minutes  more,  a 
very  decisive  snore  pronounced  my  friend  to  be  fulfilling  his 
precept  for  killing  the  hours. 

I  now  made  the  effort  to  emancipate  myself  from  my 
crib,  and  at  last  succeeded  in  getting  on  the  floor,  where, 
after  one  chassez  at  a  small  looking-glass  opposite,  followed 
by  a  very  impetuous  rush  at  a  little  brass  stove,  in  which  I 
was  interrupted  by  a  trunk  and  laid  prostrate,  I  finally  got 
my  clothes  on,  and  made  my  way  to  the  deck.  Little  at- 
tuned as  was  my  mind  at  the  moment  to  admire  anything 
like  scenery,  it  was  impossible  to  be  unmoved  by  the  mag- 
nificent prospect  before  me.  It  was  a  beautiful  evening  in 
summer;  the  sun  had  set  above  an  hour  before,  leaving 
behind  him  in  the  west  one  vast  arch  of  rich  and  burnished 
gold,  stretching  along  the  whole  horizon,  and  tipping  all  the 
summits  of  the  heavy  rolling  sea,  as  it  rolled  on,  unbroken 
by  foam  or  ripple,  in  vast  moving  mountains,  from  the  far 
coast  of  Labrador.  We  were  already  in  blue  water,  though 
the  bold  cliffs  that  were  to  form  our  departing  point  were 
but  a  few  miles  to  leeward.  There  lay  the  lofty  bluff  of 
Old  Ivinsale,  whose  crest,  overhanging,  peered  from  a  sum- 
mit of  some  hundred  feet  into  the  deep  Avater  that  swept  its 
rocky  base,  many  a  tangled  lichen  and  straggling  bough 
trailing  in  the  flood  beneath.  Here  and  there  upon  the 
coast  a  twinkling  gleam  proclaimed  the  hut  of  the  fisher- 
man, whose  swift  hookers  had  more  than  once  sliot  by  us 
and  disappeared  in  a  moment.  The  wind,  which  began 
to  fall  at  sunset,  freshened  as  the  moon  rose ;  and  the  good 
ship,  bending  to  the  breeze,  lay  gently  over,  and  rushed 
through  the  waters  with  a  sound  of  gladness.  I  was  alone 
upon  the  deck.  Power  and  the  captain,  whom  I  expected 
to  have  found,  had  disappeared  somehow,  and  I  was,  after 
all,  not  sorry  to  be  left  to  my  own  reflections  uninterrupted. 

jVIy  thoughts  turned  once  more  to  my  home,  —  to  my 
first,  my  best,  earliest  friend,  whose  hearth  I  had  rendered 
lonely  and  desolate,  and  my  heart  sank  within  me  as  I 
remembered  it.  How  deeply  I  reproached  myself  for  the 
selfish  impetuosity  with  Avhich  I  had  ever  followed  any  rising 
fancy,  any  new  and  sudden  desire,  and  never  thought  of 


THE  VOYAGE.  225 

him  whose  every  hope  was  in,  whose  every  wish  was  for 
me.  Alas  !  alas,  my  poor  uncle!  how  gladly  would  I  re:^;ign 
every  prospect  my  soldier's  life  may  hold,  out,  with  all  its 
glittering  promise,  and.  all  the  flattery  of  success,  to  be  once 
more  beside  you ;  to  feel  your  warm  and.  manly  grasp ;  to 
see  your  smile ;  to  hear  your  voice ;  to  be  again  where  all 
our  best  feelings  are  born  and.  nurtured,  our  cares  assuaged, 
our  joys  more  joyed  in,  and  our  griefs  more  wept,  —  at 
home  !  These  very  words  have  more  music  to  my  ears  than 
all  the  softest  strains  that  ever  siren  sung.  They  bring  us 
back  to  all  we  have  loved,  by  ties  that  are  never  felt  but 
through  such  simple  associations.  And  in  the  earlier  mem- 
ories called  up,  our  childish  feelings  come  back  once  more 
to  visit  us  like  better  spirits,  as  we  walk  amidst  the  dreary 
desolation  that  years  of  care  and  uneasiness  have  spread 
around  us. 

Wretched  must  he  be  who  ne'er  has  felt  such  bliss ;  and 
thrice  happy  he  who,  feeling  it,  knows  that  still  there  lives 
for  him  that  same  early  home,  with  all  its  loved  inmates, 
its  every  dear  and  devoted  object  waiting  his  coming  and 
longing  for  his  approach. 

Such  were  my  thoughts  as  I  stood  gazing  at  the  bold  line 
of  coast  now  gradually  growing  more  and  more  dim  while 
evening  fell,  and  we  continued  to  stand  farther  out  to  sea. 
So  absorbed  was  I  all  this  time  in  my  reflections,  that  I 
never  heard  the  voices  which  now  suddenly  burst  upon  my 
ears  quite  close  beside  me.  I  turned,  and  saw  for  the  first 
time  that  at  the  end  of  the  quarter-deck  stood  what  is 
called  a  roundhouse,  a  small  cabin,  from  which  the  sounds 
in  question  proceeded.  I  walked  gently  forward  and  peeped 
in,  and  certainly  anything  more  in  contrast  with  my  late 
revery  need  not  be  conceived.  There  sat  the  skipper,  a 
bluff,  round-faced,  jolly-looking  little  tar,  mixing  a  bowl  of 
punch  at  a  table,  at  which  sat  my  friend  Power,  the  adjutant, 
and  a  tall,  meagre-looking  Scotchman,  whom  I  once  met  in 
Cork,  and  heard  that  he  was  the  doctor  of  some  infantry  regi- 
ment. Two  or  three  black  bottles,  a  paper  of  cigars,  and  a 
tallow  candle  were  all  the  table  equipage  ;  but  certainly  the 
party  seemed  not  to  want  for  spirits  and  fun,  to  jvidge  from 
the  hearty  bursts  of  laughing  that  every  moment  pealed 

VOL.   I. —    15 


226  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

forth,  and  shook  the  little  building  that  held  them.  Power, 
as  usual  with  him,  seemed  to  be  taking  the  lead,  and  was 
evidently  amusing  himself  with  the  peculiarities  of  his 
companions. 

"  Come,  Adjutant,  fill  up ;  here 's  to  the  campaign  before 
us.  We,  at  least,  have  nothing  but  pleasure  in  the  anticipa- 
tion ;  no  lovely  wife  behind ;  no  charming  babes  to  fret  and 
be  fretted  for,  eh  ?  " 

"Vara  true,"  said  the  doctor,  who  was  mated  with  a 
tartavy  "  ye  maun  have  less  regrets  at  leaving  hame ;  but  a 
married  man  is  no'  entirely  denied  his  aiu  consolations." 

"  Good  sense  in  that,"  said  the  skipper ;  "  a  wide  berth 
and  plenty  of  sea  room  are  not  bad  things  now  and  then." 

"  Is  that  your  experience  also  ?  "  said  Power,  with  a 
knowing  look.  "  Come,  come.  Adjutant,  we  're  not  so  ill  off, 
you  see ;  but,  by  Jove,  I  can't  imagine  how  it  is  a  man  ever 
comes  to  thirty  without  having  at  least  one  wife,  —  without 
counting  his  colonial  possessions  of  course." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  adjutant,  with  a  sigh,  as  he  drained  his 
glass  to  the  bottom.  "  It  is  devilish  strange,  —  woman, 
lovely  woman ! "  Here  he  filled  and  drank  again,  as  though 
he  had  been  proposing  a  toast  for  his  own  peculiar  drinking. 

"  I  say,  now,"  resumed  Power,  catching  at  once  that  there 
was  something  working  in  his  mind,  —  "I  say,  now,  how  hap- 
pened it  that  you,  a  right  good-looking,  soldier-like  fellow, 
that  always  made  his  way  among  the  fair  ones,  with  that 
confounded  roguish  eye  and  slippery  tongue,  —  how  the 
deuce  did  it  come  to  pass  that  you  never  married  ?  " 

"  I  've  been  more  than  once  on  the  verge  of  it,"  said  the 
adjutant,  smiling  blandly  at  the  flattery. 

"And  nae  bad  notion  yours  just  to  stay  there,"  said  the 
doctor,  with  a  very  peculiar  contortion  of  countenance. 

"  No  pleasing  you,  no  contenting  a  fellow  like  you,"  said 
Power,  returning  to  the  charge  ;  "  that 's  the  thing ;  you  get 
a  certain  ascendancy;  you  have  a  kind  of  success  that 
renders  you,  as  the  French  say,  tete  montee,  and  you  think 
no  woman  rich  enough  or  good-looking  enough  or  big 
enough." 

"No ;  by  Jove  you  're  wrong,"  said  the  adjutant,  swallow- 
ing the  bait,  hook  and  all,  —  "  quite  wrong  there  ;  for  some- 


THE  VOYAGE.  227 

how,  all  my  life,  I  was  decidedly  susceptible.  Not  that  I 
cared  much  for  your  blushing  sixteen,  or  budding  beauties 
in  white  muslin,  fresh  from  a  back-board  and  a  governess ; 
no,  my  taste  inclined  rather  to  the  more  sober  charms  of  two 
or  three-and-thirty,  the  emhonjioint,  a  good  foot  and  ankle,  a 
sensible  breadth  about  the  shoulders  —  " 

"  Somewhat  Dutch-like,  I  take  it,"  said  the  skipper,  puff- 
ing out  a  volume  of  smoke ;  "  a  little  bluff  in  the  bows,  and 
great  stowage,  eh  " 

"  You  leaned  then  towards  the  widows  ?  "  said  Power. 

"  Exactly ;  I  confess,  a  widow  always  was  my  weakness. 
There  was  something  I  ever  liked  in  the  notion  of  a  woman 
who  had  got  over  all  the  awkward  girlishness  of  early  years, 
and  had  that  self-possession  which  habit  and  knowledge  of 
the  world  confer,  and  knew  enough  of  herself  to  understand 
what  she  really  wished,  and  where  she  would  really  go." 

"Like  the  trade  winds,"  puffed  the  skipper. 

"  Then,  as  regards  fortune,  they  have  a  decided  superiority 
over  the  spinster  class.  I  defy  any  man  breathing,  —  let 
him  be  half  police-magistrate,  half  chancellor,  — to  find  out 
the  figure  of  a  young  lady's  dower.  On  your  first  intro- 
duction to  the  house,  some  kind  friend  whispers,  *  Go  it,  old 
boy ;  forty  thousand,  not  a  penny  less.'  A  few  weeks  later, 
as  the  siege  progresses,  a  maiden  aunt,  disposed  to  puffing, 
comes  down  to  twenty ;  this  diminishes  again  one  half,  but 
then  'the  money  is  in  bank  stock,  hard  Three-and-a-Half.' 
You  go  a  little  farther,  and  as  you  sit  one  day  over  your 
wine  with  papa,  he  certainly  promulgates  the  fact  that  his 
daughter  has  five  thousand  pounds,  two  of  which  turn  out 
to  be  in  Mexican  bonds,  and  three  in  an  Irish  mortgage." 

"  Happy  for  you,"  interrupted  Power,  "  that  it  be  not  in 
Galway,  where  a  proposal  to  foreclose  would  be  a  signal  for 
your  being  called  out  and  shot  without  benefit  of  clergy." 

"Bad  luck  to  it,  for  Galwaj^,"  said  the  adjutant.  "I  was 
nearly  taken  in  there  once  to  marry  a  girl  that  her  brother- 
in-law  swore  had  eight  hundred  a  year ;  and  it  came  out 
afterwards  that  so  she  had,  but  it  was  for  one  year  only ; 
and  he  challenged  me  for  doubting  his  word  too." 

"  There 's  an  old  formula  for  finding  out  an  Irish  fortune," 
says  Power,  "worth  all  the  algebra  they  ever  taught  in 


228  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Trinity.  Take  the  half  of  the  assumed  sum,  and  divide  it 
by  three  ;  the  quotient  will  be  a  flattering  representative  of 
the  figure  sought  for." 

"  Not  in  the  north,"  said  the  adjutant,  firmly,  —  "  not  in 
the  north,  Power.  They  are  all  well  off  there.  There  's  a 
race  of  canny,  thrifty,  half-Scotch  niggers, — your  pardon. 
Doctor,  they  are  all  Irish, — lineu-weaving,  Presbyterian, 
yarn-factoring,  long-nosed,  hard-drinking  fellows,  that  lay 
by  rather  a  snug  thing  now  and  then.  Do  you  know,  I  was 
very  near  it  once  in  the  north.  I  've  half  a  mind  to  tell  you 
the  story  ;  though,  perhaps,  you  '11  laugh  at  me." 

The  whole  party  at  once  protested  that  nothing  could 
induce  them  to  deviate  so  widely  from  the  line  of  propriety ; 
and  the  skipper  having  mixed  a  fresh  bowl  and  filled  all  the 
glasses  round,  the  cigars  were  lighted,  and  the  adjutant 
began. 


CHAPTEE  XXIX. 

THE   adjutant's    STORY.  —  LIFE    IN"   DERRT. 

''It  is  now  about  eight,  may  be  ten,  years  since  we  were 
ordered  to  march  from  Belfast  and  take  up  our  quarters  in 
Londonderry.  We  had  not  been  more  than  a  few  weeks 
altogether  in  Ulster  when  the  order  came ;  and  as  we  had 
been,  for  the  preceding  two  years,  doing  duty  in  the  south 
and  west,  we  concluded  that  the  island  was  tolerably  the 
same  in  all  parts.  We  opened  our  campaign  in  the  maiden 
city  exactly  as  we  had  been  doing  with  '  unparalleled  suc- 
cess '  in  Cashel,  Fermoy,  Tuam,  etc.,  —  that  is  to  say,  we 
announced  garrison  balls  and  private  theatricals  ;  offered  a 
cup  to  be  run  for  in  steeple-chase  ;  turned  out  a  four-in-hand 
drag,  with  mottled  grays  ;  and  brought  over  two  Deal  boats 
to  challenge  the  north." 

"  The  18th  found  the  place  stupid,"  said  his  companions. 

"  To  be  sure,  they  did  ;  slow  fellows  like  them  must  find 
any  place  stupid.  No  dinners ;  but  they  gave  none.  No 
fun  ;  but  they  had  none  in  themselves.  In  fact,  we  knew 
better ;  we  understood  how  the  thing  was  to  be  done,  and 
resolved  that,  as  a  mine  of  rich  ore  lay  unworked,  it  was 
reserved  for  us  to  produce  the  shining  metal  that  others, 
less  discerning,  had  failed  to  discover.  Little  we  knew  of 
the  matter ;  never  was  there  a  blunder  like  ours.  Were 
you  ever  in  Derry  ?  " 

"  Never,"  said  the  three  listeners. 

"  Well,  then,  let  me  inform  you  that  the  place  has  its  own 
peculiar  features.  In  the  first  place,  all  the  large  towns  in 
the  south  and  west  have,  besides  the  country  neighborhood 
that  surrounds  them,  a  certain  sprinkling  of  gentlefolk,  who, 
though  with  small  fortunes  and  not  much  usage  of  the  world, 
are  still  a  great  accession  to  society,  and  make  up  the  blank 
which,  even  in  the  most  thickly  peopled  country,  would  be 
sadly  felt  without  them.     Now,  in  Derry,  there  is  none  of 


230  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

this.  After  the  great  guns  —  and,  2:>er  Baccho  !  what  great 
guns  they  are  !  —  you  have  nothing  but  the  men  engaged  in 
commerce,  —  sharp,  clever,  shrewd,  well-informed  fellows  ; 
they  are  deep  in  flax-seed,  cunning  in  molasses,  and  not  to 
be  excelled  in  all  that  pertains  to  coffee,  sassafras,  cinna- 
mon, gum,  oakum,  and  elephants'  teeth.  The  place  is  a  rich 
one,  and  the  spirit  of  commerce  is  felt  throughout  it.  No- 
thing is  cared  for,  nothing  is  talked  of,  nothing  alluded  to, 
that  does  not  bear  upon  this  ;  and,  in  fact,  if  you  have  n't  a 
venture  in  Smyrna  figs,  Memel  timber,  Dutch  dolls,  or  some 
such  commodity,  you  are  absolutely  nothing,  and  might  as 
well  be  at  a  ball  with  a  cork  leg,  or  go  deaf  to  the  opera. 

"  Now,  when  I  've  told  thus  much,  I  leave  you  to  guess 
what  impression  our  triumphal  entry  into  the  city  produced. 
Instead  of  the  admiring  crowds  that  awaited  us  elsewhere, 
as  we  marched  gayly  into  quarters,  here  Ave  saw  nothing 
but  grave,  sober-looking,  and,  I  confess  it,  intelligent-looking 
faces,  that  scrutinized  our  appearance  closely  enough,  but 
evidently  with  no  great  approval  and  less  enthusiasm.  The 
men  passed  on  hurriedly  to  the  counting-houses  and  wharves ; 
the  Avomen,  Avith  almost  as  little  interest,  peeped  at  us  from 
the  Avindows,  and  walked  aAvay  again.  Oh,  how  we  wished 
for  Galway,  glorious  Gahvay,  that  paradise  of  the  infantry 
that  lies  west  of  the  Shannon  !  Little  we  knew,  as  Ave 
ordered  the  band,  in  lively  anticipation  of  the  gayeties 
before  us,  to  strike  up  'Payne's  first  set,'  that,  to  the  ears 
of  the  fair  listeners  in  Ship  Quay  Street,  the  rumble  of  a 
sugar  hogshead  or  the  crank  of  a  Aveighing  crane  Avere  more 
delightful  music." 

"  By  Jove  ! "  interrupted  Power,  "  you  are  quite  right. 
Women  are  strongly  imitative  in  their  tastes.  The  loA^ely 
Italian,  Avhose  very  costume  is  a  natural  following  of  a 
Eaphael,  is  no  more  like  the  pretty  Liverpool  damsel  than 
Genoa  is  to  Glasnevin ;  and  yet  Avhat  the  deuce  have  they, 
dear  souls,  with  their  feet  upon  a  soft  carpet  and  their  eyes 
upon  the  pages  of  Scott  or  Byron,  to  do  with  all  the  cotton 
or  dimity  that  ever  Avas  i)rinted  ?  But  let  us  not  repine  ; 
that  very  plastic  character  is  our  greatest  blessing." 

"  I  'm  not  so  sure  that  it  ahvays  exists,"  said  the  doctor, 
dubiously,  as  though  his  OAvn  experience  pointed  otherwise. 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STORY.  — LIFE   IN  DERRY.  231 

"Well,  go  ahead!"  said  the  skipper,  who  evidently  dis- 
liked the  digressioa  thus  interrupting  the  adjutant's 
story. 

"  Well,  we  marched  along,  looking  right  and  left  at  the 
pretty  faces  —  and  there  were  plenty  of  them,  too  —  that  a 
momentary  curiosity  drew  to  the  windows  ;  but  although  we 
smiled  and  ogled  and  leered  as  only  a  newly  arrived  regi- 
ment can  smile,  ogle,  or  leer,  by  all  that 's  provoking  we 
might  as  well  have  wasted  our  blandishments  upon  the 
Presbyterian  meeting-house,  that  frowned  upon  us  with  its 
high-pitched  roof  and  round  windows. 

"  '  Droll  people,  these,'  said  one ;  '  Eayther  rum  ones,' 
cried  another ;  '  The  black  north,  by  Jove ! '  said  a  third : 
and  so  we  went  along  to  the  barracks,  somewhat  displeased 
to  think  that,  though  the  18th  were  slow,  they  might  have 
met  their  match. 

"Disappointed,  as  we  undoubtedly  felt,  at  the  little 
enthusiasm  that  marked  our  entree,  we  still  resolved  to 
persist  in  our  original  plan,  and  accordingly,  early  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  announced  our  intention  of  giving  amateur 
theatricals.  The  mayor,  who  called  upon  our  colonel,  was 
the  first  to  learn  this,  and  received  the  information  with 
pretty  much  the  same  kind  of  look  the  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury might  be  supposed  to  assume  if  requested  by  a 
a  friend  to  ride  '  a  Derby.'  The  incredulous  expression  of 
the  poor  man's  face,  as  he  turned  from  one  of  us  to  the 
other,  evidently  canvassing  in  his  mind  whether  we  might 
not,  by  some  special  dispensation  of  Providence,  be  all 
insane,  I  shall  never  forget. 

"  His  visit  was  a  very  short  one ;  whether  concluding 
that  we  were  not  quite  safe  company,  or  whether  our  noti- 
fication was  too  much  for  his  nerves,  I  know  not. 

"We  were  not  to  be  balked,  however.  Our  plans  for 
gayety,  long  planned  and  conned  over,  were  soon  announced 
in  all  form ;  and  though  we  made  efforts  almost  super- 
human in  the  cause,  our  plays  were  performed  to  empty 
benches,  our  balls  were  unattended,  our  picnic  invitations 
politely  declined,  and,  in  a  word,  all  our  advances  treated 
with  a  cold  and  chilling  politeness  that  plainly  said, 
*  We  '11  none  of  you.' 


232  CHARLES  0'j\LVLLEY. 

"Each  day  brought  some  new  discomfiture,  and  as  we 
met  at  mess,  instead  of  having,  as  heretofore,  some  prospect 
of  pleasure  and  amusement  to  chat  over,  it  was  only  to  talk 
gloomily  over  our  miserable  failures,  and  lament  the  dreary 
quarters  that  our  fates  had  doomed  us  to. 

"  Some  months  wore  on  in  this  fashion,  and  at  length  — 
what  will  not  time  do  ?  —  we  began,  by  degrees,  to  forget  our 
woes.  Some  of  us  took  to  late  hours  and  brandy-and-water ; 
others  got  sentimental,  and  wrote  journals  and  novels  and 
poetry ;  some  made  acquaintances  among  the  townspeople, 
and  cut  in  to  a  quiet  rubber  to  pass  the  evening  ;  while 
another  detachment,  among  which  I  was,  got  up  a  little 
love  affair  to  while  away  the  tedious  hours,  and  cheat  the 
lazy  sun. 

"  I  have  already  said  something  of  my  taste  in  beauty  : 
now,  Mrs.  Boggs  was  exactly  the  stj'le  of  woman  I  fancied. 
She  was  a  widow;  she  had  black  eyes,  —  not  your  jet-black, 
sparkling,  Dutch-doll  eyes,  that  roll  about  and  twinkle,  but 
mean  nothing ;  no,  hers  had  a  soft,  subdued,  downcast, 
pensive  look  about  them,  and  were  fully  as  melting  a  pair 
of  orbs  as  any  blue  eyes  you  ever  looked  at. 

"  Then,  she  had  a  short  upper  lip,  and  sweet  teeth ;  by 
Jove,  they  were  pearls !  and  she  showed  them  too,  pretty 
often.  Her  figure  was  well-rounded,  plump,  and  what  the 
French  call  nette.  To  complete  all,  her  instep  and  ankle 
were  unexceptional;  and  lastly,  her  jointure  was  seven 
hundred  pounds  per  annum,  with  a  trifle  of  eight  thousand 
more  that  the  late  lamented  Boggs  bequeathed,  when,  after 
four  months  of  uninterrupted  bliss,  he  left  Derry  for  an- 
other world. 

"When  chance  first  threw  me  in  the  way  of  the  fair 
widow,  some  casual  coincidence  of  opinion  happened  to 
raise  me  in  her  estimation,  and  I  soon  afterwards  received 
an  invitation  to  a  small  evening  party  at  her  house,  to 
which  I  alone  of  the  regiment  was  asked. 

"  I  shall  not  weary  you  with  the  details  of  my  intimacy ; 
it  is  enough  that  I  tell  you  I  fell  desperately  in  love.  I 
began  by  visiting  twice  or  thrice  a  week,  and  in  less  than 
two  months,  spent  every  morning  at  her  house,  and  rarely 
left  it  till  the  '  Roast  beef '  announced  mess. 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STORY.  — LIFE   IN  DERRY.         233 

"  I  soon  discovered  the  widow's  cue ;  she  was  serious. 
Now,  I  had  conducted  all  manner  of  flirtations  in  my  pre- 
vious life ;  timid  young  ladies,  manly  young  ladies,  musical, 
artistical,  poetical,  and  hysterical,  — bless  you,  I  knew  them 
all  by  heart ;  but  never  before  had  I  to  deal  with  a  serious 
one,  and  a  widow  to  boot.  The  case  was  a  trying  one.  For 
some  weeks  it  was  all  very  up-hill  work  ;  all  the  red  shot  of 
warm  affection  I  used  to  pour  in  on  other  occasions  was  of 
no  use  here.  The  language  of  love,  in  which  I  was  no  mean 
proficient,  availed  me  not.  Compliments  and  flattery,  those 
rare  skirmishers  before  the  engagement,  were  denied  me ; 
and  I  verily  think  that  a  tender  squeeze  of  the  hand  would 
have  cost  me  my  dismissal. 

"  '  How  very  slow,  all  this ! '  thought  I,  as,  at  the  end 
of  two  months  siege,  I  still  found  myself  seated  in  the 
trenches,  and  not  a  single  breach  in  the  fortress ;  '  but,  to 
be  sure,  it 's  the  way  they  have  in  the  north,  and  one  must 
be  patient.' 

"  While  thus  I  was  in  no  very  sanguine  frame  of  mind  as 
to  my  prospects,  in  reality  my  progress  was  very  consider- 
able. Having  become  a  member  of  Mr.  M'Phun's  congre- 
gation, I  was  gradually  rising  in  the  estimation  of  the 
widow  and  her  friends,  whom  my  constant  attendance  at 
meeting,  and  my  very  serious  demeanor  had'  so  far  im- 
pressed that  very  grave  deliberation  was  held  whether  I 
should  not  be  made  an  elder  at  the  next  brevet. 

*'If  the  widow  Boggs  had  not  been  a  very  lovely  and 
wealthy  widow;  had  she  not  possessed  the  eyes,  lips, 
hips,  ankles,  and  jointure  aforesaid,  —  I  honestly  avow  that 
neither  the  charms  of  that  sweet  man  Mr.  M'Phun's  elo- 
quence, nor  even  the  flattering  distinction  in  store  for  me, 
would  have  induced  me  to  prolong  my  suit.  However,  I 
was  not  going  to  despair  when  in  sight  of  land.  The  Avidow 
was  evidently  softened.  A  little  time  longer,  and  the  most 
scrupulous  moralist,  the  most  rigid  advocate  for  employing 
time  wisely,  could  not  have  objected  to  my  daily  system  of 
courtship.  I  was  none  of  your  sighing,  dying,  ogling,  hand- 
squeezing,  waist-pressing,  oath-swearing,  everlasting-adoring 
affairs,  with  an  interchange  of  rings  and  lockets ;  not  a  bit 
of  it.     It  was  confoundedly  like  a  controversial  meeting  at 


234  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

the  Eotnndo,  and  I  myself  had  a  far  greater  resemblance 
to  Father  Tom  Maguire  than  a  gay  Lothario. 

"  After  all,  when  mess-time  came,  when  the  '  Roast  beef ' 
played,  and  we  assembled  at  dinner,  and  the  soup  and  fish 
had  gone  round,  with  two  glasses  of  sherry  in,  my  spirits 
rallied,  and  a  very  jolly  evening  consoled  me  for  all  my 
fatigues  and  exertions,  and  supplied  me  with  energy  for 
the  morrow ;  for,  let  me  observe  here,  that  I  only  made 
love  before  dinner.  The  evenings  I  reserved  for  myself, 
assuring  Mrs.  Boggs  that  my  regimental  duties  required 
all  my  time  after  mess  hour,  in  which  I  was  perfectly 
correct :  for  at  six  we  dined ;  at  seven  I  opened  the  claret 
No.  1 ;  at  eight  I  had  uncorked  my  second  bottle ;  by  half- 
past  eight  I  was  returning  to  the  sherry  ;  and  at  ten,  punc- 
tual to  the  moment,  I  was  repairing  to  my  quarters  on  the 
back  of  my  servant,  Tim  Daly,  who  had  carried  me  safely 
for  eight  years,  without  a  single  mistake,  as  the  fox-hunters 
say.  This  was  a  wa}^  we  had  in  the  —  tli.  Every  man  was 
carried  away  from  mess,  some  sooner,  some  later.  I  was 
always  an  early  riser,  and  went  betimes. 

"  Now,  although  I  had  very  abundant  proof,  from  circum- 
stantial evidence,  that  I  was  nightly  removed  from  the 
mess-room  to  my  bed  in  the  mode  I  mention,  it  would  have 
puzzled  me  sorely  to  prove  the  fact  in  any  direct  way ;  in- 
asmuch as  by  half-past  nine,  as  the  clock  chimed,  and  Tim 
entered  to  take  me,  I  was  vei-y  innocent  of  all  that  was 
going  on,  and  except  a  certain  vague  sense  of  regret  at 
leaving  the  decanter,  felt  nothing  whatever. 

"It  so  chanced  —  what  mere  trifles  are  we  ruled  by  in 
our  destiny!  —  that  just  as  my  suit  with  the  widow  had 
assumed  its  most  favorable  footing,  old  General  Hinks,  that 
commanded  the  district,  announced  his  coming  over  to 
inspect  our  regiment.  Over  he  came  accordingly,  and  to 
be  sure,  we  had  a  day  of  it.  We  were  paraded  for  six  mor- 
tal hours  ;  then  we  were  marching  and  countermarching, 
moving  into  line,  back  again  into  column,  now  forming 
open  column,  then  into  square ;  till  at  last,  we  began  to 
think  that  the  old  general  was  like  the  Flying  Dutchman, 
and  was  probably  condemned  to  keep  on  drilling  us  to  the 
day  of  judgment.     To  be  sure,  he  enlivened  the  proceeding 


THE  ADJUTANT'S   STOKY.  — LIFE   Df  DERRY.  235 

to  me  by  pronouncing  the  regiment  tlie  worst-drilled  and 
appointed  corps  in  the  service,  and  the  adjutant  (me !)  the 
stupidest  dunderhead  —  these  were  his  words  —  he  had 
ever  met  with. 

"'Never  mind,'  thought  I;  *a  few  days  more,  and  it's 
little  I  '11  care  for  the  eighteen  manoeuvres.  It 's  small 
trouble  your  eyes  right  or  your  left,  shoulders  forward, 
will  give  me.  I  '11  sell  out,  and  with  the  Widow  Boggs 
and  seven  hundred  a  year,  —  but  no  matter.' 

"  This  confounded  inspection  lasted  till  half-past  five  in 
the  afternoon ;  so  that  our  mess  was  delayed  a  full  hour  in 
consequence,  and  it  was  past  seven  as  we  sat  down  to 
dinner.  Our  faces  were  grim  enough  as  we  met  together 
at  first ;  but  what  will  not  a  good  dinner  and  good  wine  do 
for  the  surliest  party  ?  By  eight  o'clock  we  began  to  feel 
somewhat  more  convivially  disposed ;  and  before  nine,  the 
decanters  were  performing  a  quick-step  round  the  table,  in 
a  fashion  very  exhilarating  and  very  jovial  to  look  at. 

"*No  flinching  to-night,'  said  the  senior  major.  'We've 
had  a  severe  day ;  let  us  also  have  a  merry  evening.' 

" '  By  Jove  !  Ormond,'  cried  another,  '  we  must  not  leave 
this  to-night.  Confound  the  old  humbugs  and  their  musty 
whist  party ;  throw  them  over.' 

"'I  say.  Adjutant,'  said  Forbes,  addressing  me,  'you've 
nothing  particular  to  say  to  the  fair  widow  this  evening  ? 
You  '11  not  bolt,  I  hope  ? ' 

" '  That  he  sha'  n't,'  said  one  near  me ;  '  he  must  make  up 
for  his  absence  to-morrow,  for  to-night  we  all  stand  fast.' 

"  '  Besides,'  said  another,  '  she  's  at  meeting  by  this.  Old 
—  what-d'ye-call-him  ?  —  is  at  fourteenthly  before  now.' 

"  '  A  note  for  you,  sir,'  said  the  mess  waiter,  presenting 
me  with  a  rose-colored  three-cornered  billet.  It  was  from 
la  chere  Boggs  herself,  and  ran  thus  :  — 

Dear  Sir,  —  Mr.  M'Phun  and  a  few  friends  are  coming  to  tea  at 
my  house  after  meeting ;  perhaps  you  will  also  favor  us  with  your 
company.  Yours  truly, 

Eliza  Boggs. 

"What  was  to  be  done?  Quit  the  mess;  leave  a  jolly 
party  just  at  the  jolliest  moment;   exchange  Lafitte  and 


236  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

red  hermitage  for  a  soiree  of  elders,  presided  over  by  that 
sweet  man,  Mr.  M'Phun !  It  was  too  bad  !  —  but  then,  how 
much  was  in  the  scale  !  What  would  the  widow  say  if 
I  declined  ?  What  would  she  think  ?  I  well  knew  that 
the  invitation  meant  nothing  less  than  a  full-dress  parade 
of  me  before  her  friends,  and  that  to  decline  was  perhaps 
to  forfeit  all  my  hopes  in  that  quarter  forever. 

"  '  Any  answer,  sir  ?  '  said  the  waiter. 

"  *  Yes,'  said  I,  in  a  half-whisper,  '  I  '11  go,  —  tell  the 
servant,  I  '11  go.' 

*'  At  this  moment  my  tender  epistle  was  subtracted  from 
before  me,  and  ere  I  had  turned  round,  had  made  the  tour 
of  half  the  table.  I  never  perceived  the  circumstance, 
however,  and  filling  my  glass,  professed  my  resolve  to  sit 
to  the  last,  with  a  mental  reserve  to  take  my  departure 
at  the  very  first  opportunity.  Ormond  and  the  paymaster 
quitted  the  room  for  a  moment,  as  if  to  give  orders  for 
a  broil  at  twelve,  and  now  all  seemed  to  promise  a  very 
convivial  and  well-sustained  party  for  the  night. 

''  'Is  that  all  arranged?  '  inquired  the  major,  as  Ormond 
entered. 

"  *  All  right,'  said  he ;  '  and  now  let  us  have  a  bumper  and 
a  song.     Adjutant,  old  boy,  give  us  a  chant.' 

"  '  What  shall  it  be,  then  ? '  inquired  I,  anxious  to  cover 
my  intended  retreat  by  any  appearance  of  joviality. 

" '  Give  us  — 

*'  When  I  was  in  the  Fusiliers 
Some  fourteen  years  ago."  * 

"  *  No,  no ;  confound  it !  I  've  heard  nothing  else  since 
I  joined  the  regiment.  Let  us  have  the  "  Paymaster's 
Daughter." ' 

" '  Ah !  that 's  pathetic ;  I  like  that,'  lisped  a  young  ensign. 

'"If  I  'm  to  have  a  vote,'  grunted  out  the  senior  major, 
'I  pronounce  for  "West  India  Quarters." ' 

"'Yes,  yes,'  said  half-a-dozen  voices  together;  'let's 
have  "West  India  Quarters."  Come,  give  him  a  glass  of 
sherry,  and  let  him  begin.' 

"I  had  scarcely  finished  off  my  glass,  and  cleared  my 
throat  for  my  song,  when  the  clock  on  the  chimney-piece 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STORY.  — LIFE  IN  DERRY.         237 

chimed  half-past  nine,  and  the  same  instant  I  felt  a  heavy 
hand  fall  upon  my  shoulder.  I  turned  and  beheld  my 
servant  Tim.  This,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  was  the 
hour  at  which  Tim  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  me  home  to 
*my  quarters  ;  and  though  we  had  dined  an  hour  later,  he 
took  no  notice  of  the  circumstance,  but  true  to  his  custom, 
he  was  behind  my  chair.  A  very  cursory  glance  at  my 
*  familiar '  was  quite  sufficient  to  show  me  that  we  had  some- 
how changed  sides  ;  for  Tim,  who  was  habitually  the  most 
sober  of  mankind,  was,  on  the  present  occasion,  exceed- 
ingly drunk,  while  I,  a  fvdl  hour  before  that  consummation, 
was  perfectly  sober. 

*'  'What  d'  ye  want,  sir  ?  '  inquired  I,  with  something  of 
severity  in  my  manner. 

"  '  Come  home,'  said  Tim,  with  a  hiccough  that  set  the 
whole  table  in  a  roar. 

"  'Leave  the  room  this  instant,'  said  I,  feeling  wrath  at 
being  thus  made  a  butt  of  for  his  offences.  '  Leave  the  room, 
or  I  '11  kick  you  out  of  it.'  Now,  this,  let  me  add  in  a 
parenthesis,  was  somewhat  of  a  boast,  for  Tim  was  six  feet 
three,  and  strong  in  proportion,  and  when  in  liquor,  fearless 
as  a  tiger. 

" '  You  '11  kick  me  out  of  the  room,  eh,  will  you  ?  Try, 
only  try  it,  that 's  all.'  Here  a  new  roar  of  laughter  burst 
forth,  while  Tim,  again  placing  an  enormous  paw  upon  my 
shoulder,  continued,  '  Don't  be  sitting  there,  making  a  baste 
of  yourself,  when  you  've  got  enough.  Don't  you  see  you  're 
drunk  ? ' 

"  I  sprang  to  my  legs  on  this,  and  made  a  rush  to  the  fire- 
place to  secure  the  poker ;  but  Tim  was  beforehand  with  me, 
and  seizing  me  by  the  waist  with  both  hands,  flung  me  across 
his  shoulders  as  though  I  were  a  baby,  saying,  at  the  same 
time,  '  I  '11  take  you  away  at  half-past  eight  to-morrow,  av 
you  're  as  rampageous  again.'  I  kicked,  I  plunged,  I  swore, 
I  threatened,  I  even  begged  and  implored  to  be  set  down ; 
but  whether  my  voice  was  lost  in  the  uproar  around  me,  or 
that  Tim  only  regarded  my  denunciations  in  the  light  of 
cursing,  I  know  not,  but  he  carried  me  bodily  down  the 
stairs,  steadying  himself  by  one  hand  on  the  banisters,  while 
with  the  other  he  held  me  as  in  a  vice.     I  had  but  one  con- 


238 


CIIAELES  O'MALLEY. 


solation  all  tliis  while ;  it  was  this,  that  as  my  quarters  lay 
immediately  behind  the  mess-room,  Tim's  excursion  would 
soon  come  to  an  end,  and  I  should  be  free  once  more ;  but 
guess  my  terror  to  find  that  the  drunken  scoundrel,  instead 
of  going  as  usual  to  the  left,  turned  short  to  the  right  hand,* 
and  marched  boldly  into  Ship  Quay  Street.  Every  window 
in  the  mess-room  was  filled  with  our  fellows,  absolutely 
shouting  Avith  laughter.  *  Go  it  Tim !  That 's  the  fellow ! 
Hold  him  tight !   Never  let  go  ! '  cried  a  dozen  voices ;  while 


Ijiiflu  1 1'hij^  ,   III' 


lldh 


r,l'l!lil|i  ]h 


i^-  r"ffl.3^4^fe ,  it' 


the  wretch,  with  the  tenacity  of  drunkenness,  gripped  me 
still  harder,  and  took  his  way  down  the  middle  of  the 
street. 

"  It  was  a  beautiful  evening  in  July,  a  soft  summer  night, 
as  I  made  this  pleasing  excursion  down  the  most  frequented 
thoroughfare  in  the  maiden  city,  my  struggles  every  moment 
exciting  roars  of  laughter  from  an  increasing  crowd  of  spec- 
tators, who  seemed  scarcely  less  amused  than  puzzled  at  the 
exhibition.  In  the  midst  of  a  torrent  of  imprecations  against 
my  torturer,  a  loud  noise  attracted  me.     I  turned  my  head, 


THE  ADJUTANT'S  STOKY.  — LITE   IN  DERRY.         239 

and  saw,  —  horror  of  horrors !  —  the  door  of  the  meeting- 
house just  flung  open,  and  the  congregation  issuing  forth  en 
masse.  Is  it  any  wonder  if  I  remember  no  more  ?  There  I 
was,  the  chosen  one  of  the  widow  Boggs,  the  elder  elect, 
the  favored  friend  and  admired  associate  of  Mr.  M'Phun, 
taking  an  airing  on  a  summer's  evening  on  the  back  of  a 
drunken  Irishman.  Oh,  tlie  thought  was  horrible  !  and  cer- 
tainly the  short  and  pithy  epithets  by  which  I  was  charac- 
terized in  the  crowd,  neither  improved  my  temper  nor 
assuaged  my  wrath,  and  I  feel  bound  to  confess  that  my 
own  language  was  neither  serious  nor  becoming.  Tim,  how- 
ever, cared  little  for  all  this,  and  pursued  the  even  tenor  of 
his  way  through  the  whole  crowd,  nor  stopped  till,  having 
made  half  the  circuit  of  the  wall,  he  deposited  me  safe  at 
my  own  door,  adding,  as  he  set  me  down,  '  Oh,  av  you  're  as 
throublesome  every  evening,  it 's  a  wheelbarrow  I  '11  be 
obleeged  to  bring  for  you  ! ' 

"  The  next  day  I  obtained  a  short  leave  of  absence,  and  ere 
a  fortnight  expired,  exchanged  into  the  — th,  preferring  Hal- 
ifax itself  to  the  ridicule  that  awaited  me  in  Londonderry." 


CHAPTEE  XXX. 

FEED    power's    ADVENTURE    IN    PHILTPSTOWN. 

The  lazy  hours  of  the  long  summer  day  crept  slowly  over. 
The  sea,  unbroken  by  foam  or  ripple,  shone  like  a  broad  blue 
mirror,  reflecting  here  and  there  some  fleecy  patches  of  snow- 
white  cloud  as  they  stood  unmoved  in  the  sky.  The  good 
ship  rocked  to  and  fro  with  a  heavy  and  lumbering  motion, 
the  cordage  rattled,  the  bulkheads  creaked,  the  sails  flapped 
lazily  against  the  masts,  the  very  sea-gulls  seemed  to  sleep 
as  they  rested  on  the  long  swell  that  bore  them  along,  and 
everything  in  sea  and  sky  bespoke  the  calm.  No  sailor  trod 
the  deck ;  no  watch  was  stirring ;  the  very  tiller  ropes  were 
deserted ;  and  as  they  traversed  backwards  and  forwards 
with  every  roll  of  the  vessel,  told  that  we  had  no  steerage- 
way,  and  lay  a  mere  log  upon  the  water. 

I  sat  alone  in  the  bow,  and  fell  into  a  musing  fit  upon  the 
past  and  the  future.  How  happily  for  us  is  it  ordained  that 
in  the  most  stirring  existences  there  are  every  here  and  there 
such  little  resting-spots  of  reflection,  from  which,  as  from 
some  eminence,  we  look  back  upon  the  road  we  have  been 
treading  in  life,  and  cast  a  wistful  glance  at  the  dark  vista 
before  us  !  When  first  we  set  out  upon  our  worldly  pil- 
grimage, these  are  indeed  precious  moments,  when  with 
buoyant  heart  and  spirit  high,  believing  all  things,  trusting 
all  things,  our  very  youth  comes  back  to  us,  reflected  from 
every  object  we  meet ;  and  like  Narcissus,  we  are  but  wor- 
shipping our  own  image  in  the  water.  As  we  go  on  in  life, 
the  cares,  the  anxieties,  and  the  business  of  the  world  en- 
gross us  more  and  more,  and  such  moments  become  fewer 
and  shorter.  Many  a  i3right  dream  has  been  dissolved, 
many  a  fairy  vision  replaced,  by  some  dark  reality ;  blighted 
hopes,  false  friendships  have  gradually  worn  callous  the 
heart  once  alive  to  every  gentle  feeling,  and  time  begins  to 
tell  upon  us,  —  yet  still,  as  the  well-remembered  melody  to 
which  we  listened  with  delight  in  infancy  brings  to  our 


FRED  POWER'S  ADVENTURE   IN  PHn^IPSTOWN.     241 

mature  age  a  touch  of  early  years,  so  will  the  very  associa- 
tion of  these  happy  moments  recur  to  us  in  our  revery,  and 
make  us  young  again  in  thought.  Then  it  is  that,  as  we 
look  back  upon  our  worldly  career,  we  become  convinced 
how  truly  is  the  child  the  father  of  the  man,  how  frequently 
are  the  projects  of  our  manhood  the  fruit  of  some  boyish 
predilection ;  and  that  in  tlie  emulative  ardor  that  stirs  the 
schoolboy's  heart,  we  may  read  the  prestige  of  tnat  high 
daring  that  makes  a  hero  of  its  possessor. 

These  moments,  too,  are  scarcely  more  pleasurable  than 
they  are  salutary  to  us.  Disengaged  for  the  time  from  every 
worldly  anxiety,  we  pass  in  review  before  our  own  selves, 
and  in  the  solitude  of  our  own  hearts  are  we  judged.  That 
still  small  voice  of  conscience,  unheard  and  unlistened  to 
amidst  the  din  and  bustle  of  life,  speaks  audibly  to  us  now; 
and  while  chastened  on  one  side  by  regrets,  we  are  sustained 
on  the  other  by  some  approving  thought ,  and  with  many  a 
sorrow  for  the  past,  and  many  a  promise  for  the  future,  we 
begin  to  feel  "  how  good  it  is  for  us  to  be  here." 

The  evening  wore  later ;  the  red  sun  sank  down  upon  the 
sea,  growing  larger  and  larger ;  the  long  line  of  mellow  gold 
that  sheeted  along  the  distant  horizon  grew  first  of  a  dark 
ruddy  tinge,  then  paler  and  paler,  till  it  became  almost  gray ; 
a  single  star  shone  faintly  in  the  east,  and  darkness  soon 
set  in.  With  night  came  the  wind,  for  almost  imperceptibly 
the  sails  swelled  slowly  out,  a  slight  rustle  at  the  bow  fol- 
lowed, the  ship  lay  gently  over,  and  we  were  once  more  in 
motion.  It  struck  four  bells ;  some  casual  resemblance  in 
the  sound  of  the  old  pendulum  that  marked  the  hour  at  my 
uncle's  house  startled  me  so  that  I  actually  knew  not  where 
I  was.  With  lightning  speed  my  once  home  rose  up  before 
me  with  its  happy  hearts ;  the  old  familiar  faces  were  there  ; 
the  gay  laugh  was  in  my  ears ;  there  sat  my  dear  old  uncle, 
as  with  bright  eye  and  mellow  voice  he  looked  a  very  wel- 
come to  his  guests ;  there  Boyle ;  there  Considine ;  there 
the  grim-visaged  portraits  that  graced  the  old  walls  whose 
black  oak  wainscot  stood  in  broad  light  and  shadow,  as  the 
blazing  turf  fire  shone  upon  it ;  there  was  my  own  place, 
now  vacant ;  methought  my  uncle's  eye  was  turned  towards 
it  and  that  I  heard  him  say,  "  My  poor  boy !  I  wonder  where 

VOL.    I. — 16 


242  CHARLES  O'jMALLEY. 

is  he  now ! "  My  heart  swelled,  my  chest  heaved,  the 
tears  coursed  slowly  down  my  cheeks,  as  I  asked  myself, 
"  Shall  I  ever  see  them  more  ?  "  Oh,  how  little,  how  very 
little  to  us  are  the  accustomed  blessings  of  our  life  till  some 
change  has  robbed  us  of  them,  and  how  dear  are  they  when 
lost  to  us !  My  uncle's  dark  foreboding  that  we  should 
never  meet  again  on  earth,  came  for  the  first  time  forcibly 
to  my  mind,  and  my  heart  was  full  to  bursting.  What  could 
repay  me  for  the  agony  of  that  moment  as  I  thought  of  him, 
my  first,  my  best,  my  only  friend,  whom  I  had  deserted  ? 
And  how  gladly  would  I  have  resigned  my  bright  day-dawn 
of  ambition  to  be  once  more  beside  his  chair,  to  hear  his 
voice,  to  see  his  smile,  to  feel  his  love  for  me !  A  loud 
laugh  from  the  cabin  roused  me  from  my  sad,  depressing 
revery,  and  at  the  same  instant  Mike's  well-known  voice  in- 
formed me  that  the  captain  was  looking  for  me  everywhere, 
as  supper  was  on  the  table.  Little  as  I  felt  disposed  to  join 
the  party  at  such  a  moment,  as  I  knew  there  was  no  escap- 
ing Power,  I  resolved  to  make  the  best  of  matters ;  so  after 
a  few  minutes  I  followed  Mickey  down  the  companion  and 
entered  the  cabin. 

The  scene  before  me  was  certainly  not  calculated  to  per- 
petuate depressing  thoughts.  At  the  head  of  a  rude  old- 
fashioned  table,  upon  which  figured  several  black  bottles 
and  various  ill-looking  drinking  vessels  of  ever}'-  shape  and 
material,  sat  Fred  Power ;  on  his  right  was  placed  the  skip- 
per, on  his  left  the  doctor, — the  bronzed,  merry -looking, 
weather-beaten  features  of  the  one  contrasting  ludicrously 
with  the  pale,  ascetic,  acute-looking  expression  of  the  other. 
Sparks,  more  than  half-drunk,  with  the  mark  of  a  red-hot 
cigar  upon  his  nether  lip,  was  lower  down;  while  Major 
IMonsoon,  to  preserve  the  symmetry  of  the  party,  had  pro- 
truded his  head,  surmounted  by  a  huge  red  niglitcap,  from 
the  berth  opposite,  and  held  out  his  goblet  to  be  replenished 
from  the  punch-bowl. 

"Welcome,  thrice  welcome,  thou  man  of  Galway!"  cried 
out  Power,  as  he  pointed  to  a  seat,  and  pushed  a  wine-glass 
toAvards  me.  "  Just  in  time,  too,  to  pronounce  upon  a  new 
brewery.  Taste  that ;  a  little  more  of  the  lemon  you  would 
say,  perhaps  ?     Well,  I  agree  with  you.     Rum  and  brandy, 


FRED   POWER'S  ADVENTURE   IN   PHILIPSTOWN.       243 

glenlivet  and  guava  jelly,  limes,  green  tea,  and  a  slight  sus- 
picion of  preserved  ginger,  —  nothing  else,  upon  honor,  — 
and  the  most  simple  mixture  for  the  cure,  the  radical  cure, 
of  blue  devils  and  debt  I  know  of ;  eh,  Doctor  ?  You  advise 
it  yourself,  to  be  taken  before  bed-time ;  nothing  inflamma- 
tory in  it,  nothing  pugnacious ; .  a  mere  circulation  of  the 
better  juices  and  more  genial  spirits  of  the  marly  clay, 
without  arousing  any  of  the  baser  passions  ;  whiskey  is  the 
devil  for  that." 

"  I  canna  say  that  I  dinna  like  whiskey  toddy,"  said  the 
doctor  ;  "in  the  cauld  winter  nights  it's  no  sae  bad." 

"Ah,  that's  it,"  said  Power;  "there  's  the  pull  you 
Scotch  have  upon  us  poor  Patlanders,  —  cool,  calculating, 
long-headed  fellows,  you  only  come  up  to  the  mark  after 
fifteen  tumblers ;  whereas  we  hot-brained  devils,  with  a 
blood  at  212  degrees  of  Fahrenheit  and  a  high-pressure 
engine  of  good  spirits  always  ready  for  an  explosion,  we  go 
clean  mad  when  tipsy ;  not  but  I  am  fully  convinced  that  a 
mad  Irishman  is  worth  two  sane  people  of  any  other  country 
under  heaven." 

"  If  you  mean  by  that  insin  —  insin  —  sinuation  to  imply 
any  disrespect  to  the  English,"  stuttered  out  Sparks,  "  I  am 
bound  to  say  that  I  for  one,  and  the  doctor,  I  am  sure,  for 
another  —  " 

"  Xa,  na,"  interrupted  the  doctor,  "  ye  mauna  coont  upon 
me  ;  I  'm  no  disposed  to  fetch  ower  our  liquor." 

"Then,  Major  Monsoon,  I'm  certain — " 

"  Are  ye,  faitli  ?  "  said  the  major,  with  a  grin ;  "  blessed  are 
they  who  expect  nothing,  —  of  which  number  you  are  not, 
—  for  most  decidedly  you  shall  be  disappointed." 

"  jSTever  mind.  Sparks,  take  the  whole  fight  to  your  own 
proper  self,  and  do  battle  like  a  man;  and  here  I  stand, 
ready  at  all  arms  to  prove  my  position,  —  that  we  drink 
better,  sing  better,  court  better,  fight  better,  and  make 
better  punch  than  every  John  Bull,  from  Berwick  to  the 
Land's  End." 

Sparks,  however,  who  seemed  not  exactly  sure  how  far 
his  antagonist  was  disposed  to  quiz,  relapsed  into  a  half- 
tipsy  expression  of  contemptuous  silence,  and  sipped  his 
liquor  without  reply. 


244  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"Yes,"  said  Power,  after  a  pause,  "bad  luck  to  it  for 
whiskey ;  it  nearly  got  me  broke  once,  and  poor  Tom 
O'Reilly  of  the  5th,  too,  the  best-tempered  fellow  in  the 
service.  We  were  as  near  it  as  touch  and  go ;  and  all  for 
some  confounded  Loughrea  spirits  that  we  believed  to  be 
perfectly  innocent,  and  used  to  swill  away  freely  without 
suspicion  of  any  kind." 

"  Let 's  hear  the  story,"  said  I,  "  by  all  means." 

"  It 's  not  a  long  one,"  said  Power,  "  so  I  don't  care  if  I 
tell  it ;  and  besides,  if  I  make  a  clean  breast  of  my  own  sins, 
I  '11  insist  upon  Monsoon's  telling  you  afterwards  how  he 
stocked  his  cellar  in  Cadiz.  Eh,  Major ;  there 's  worse  tipple 
than  the  King  of  Spain's  sherry  ?  " 

"You  shall  judge  for  yourself,  old  boy,"  said  Monsoon, 
good-humoredly  ;  "  and  as  for  the  narrative,  it  is  equally  at 
your  service.  Of  course  it  goes  no  further.  The  commander- 
in-chief,  long  life  to  him !  is  a  glorious  fellow ;  but  he  has 
no  more  idea  of  a  joke  than  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 
and  it  might  chance  to  reach  him." 

"  Recount,  and  fear  not !  "  cried  Power ;  "  we  are  discreet 
as  the  worshipful  company  of  apothecaries." 

"  But  you  forget  you  are  to  lead  the  way." 

"Here  goes,  then,"  said  the  jolly  captain;  "not  that  the 
story  has  any  merit  in  it,  but  the  moral  is  beautiful. 

"  Ireland,  to  be  sure,  is  a  beautiful  country ;  but  somehow 
it  would  prove  a  very  dull  one  to  be  quartered  in,  if  it  were 
not  that  the  people  seem  to  have  a  natural  taste  for  the 
army.  From  the  belle  of  Merrion  Square  down  to  the  inn- 
keeper's daughter  in  Tralee,  the  loveliest  part  of  the  creation 
seem  to  have  a  perfect  appreciation  of  our  high  acquire- 
ments and  advantages ;  and  in  no  other  part  of  the  globe, 
the  Tonga  Islands  included,  is  a  red-coat  more  in  favor.  To 
be  sure,  they  would  be  very  ungrateful  if  it  were  not  the 
case ;  for  we,  upon  our  side,  leave  no  stone  unturned  to 
make  ourselves  agreeable.  We  ride,  drink,  play,  and  make 
love  to  the  ladies  from  Fairhead  to  Killarney,  in  a  way 
greatly  calculated  to  render  us  popular ;  and  as  far  as  mak- 
ing the  time  pass  pleasantly,  we  are  the  boys  for  the  '  great- 
est happiness '  principle.  I  repeat  it ;  we  deserve  our 
popularity.     Wliich  of  us  does  not  get  head  and  ears  in 


FRED  POWER'S  ADVENTURE   IN  PHILIPSTOWN.      245 

debt  with  garrison  balls  and  steeple-chases,  picnics,  regattas, 
and  the  thousand-and-one  inventions  to  get  rid  of  one's  spare 
cash,  —  so  called  for  being  so  sparingly  dealt  out  by  our 
governors  ?  Now  and  then,  too,  when  all  else  fails,  we  take 
a  newly-joined  ensign  and  make  him  marry  some  pretty  but 
penniless  lass  in  a  country  town,  just  to  show  the  rest  that 
we  are  not  joking,  but  have  serious  ideas  of  matrimony  in 
the  midst  of  all  our  flirtations.  If  it  were  all  like  this,  the 
Green  Isle  would  be  a  paradise  ;  but  unluckily  every  now 
and  then  one  is  condemned  to  some  infernal  place  where 
there  is  neither  a  pretty  face  nor  tight  ankle,  where  the 
priest  himself  is  not  a  good  fellow,  and  long,  ill-paved, 
straggling  streets,  filled  on  market  days  with  booths  of 
striped  calico  and  soapy  cheese,  is  the  only  promenade, 
and  a  ruinous  barrack,  with  mouldy  walls  and  a  tumbling 
chimney,  the  only  quarters. 

"  In  vain,  on  your  return  from  your  morning  stroll  or 
afternoon  canter,  you  look  on  the  chimney-piece  for  a  shower 
of  visiting-cards  and  pink  notes  of  invitation ;  in  vain  you 
ask  your  servant.  Has  any  one  called.  Alas,  your  only 
visitor  has  been  the  ganger,  to  demand  a  party  to  assist  in 
still-hunting  amidst  that  interesting  class  of  the  population 
■who,  having  nothing  to  eat,  are  engaged  in  devising  drink, 
and  care  as  much  for  the  life  of  a  red-coat  as  you  do  for 
that  of  a  crow  or  a  curlew.  This  may  seem  overdrawn  ; 
but  I  would  ask  you.  Were  you  ever  for  your  sins  quartered 
in  that  capital  city  of  the  Bog  of  Allen  they  call  Philips- 
town  ?  Oh,  but  it  is  a  romantic  spot !  They  tell  us  some- 
where that  much  of  the  expression  of  the  human  face 
divine  depends  upon  the  objects  which  constantly  surround 
us.  Thus  the  inhabitants  of  mountain  districts  imbibe,  as 
it  were,  a  certain  bold  and  daring  character  of  expression 
from  the  scenery,  very  different  from  the  placid  and  monot- 
onous look  of  those  who  dwell  in  plains  and  valleys  ;  and 
I  can  certainly  credit  the  theory  in  this  instance,  for  every 
man,  woman,  and  child  you  meet  has  a  brown,  baked,  scruffy, 
turf-like  face,  that  fully  satisfies  you  that  if  Adam  were 
formed  of  clay  the  Philipstown  people  were  worse  treated 
and  only  made  of  bog  mould. 

"Well,  one  fine   morning   poor   Tom  and   myself   were 


246  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

marched  off  from  Birr,  where  one  might  'live  and  love 
forever/  to  take  up  our  quarters  at  this  sweet  spot.  Little 
we  knew  of  Philipstown  ;  and  like  my  friend  the  adjutant 
there,  when  he  laid  siege  to  Derry,  we  made  our  entree  with 
all  the  pomp  we  could  muster,  and  though  we  had  no  band, 
our  drums  and  fifes  did  duty  for  it ;  and  we  brushed  along 
through  turf-creels  and  wicker-baskets  of  new  brogues  that 
obstructed  the  street  till  we  reached  the  barrack,  —  the  only 
testimony  of  admiration  we  met  with  being,  I  feel  bound  to 
admit,  from  a  ragged  urchin  of  ten  years,  who,  with  a  wattle 
in  his  hand,  imitated  me  as  I  marched  along,  and  when  I 
cried  halt,  took  his  leave  of  us  by  dexterously  fixing  his 
thumb  to  the  side  of  his  nose  and  outstretching  his  fingers, 
as  if  thus  to  convey  a  very  strong  hint  that  we  were  not 
half  so  fine  fellows  as  we  thought  ourselves.  Well,  four 
mortal  summer  months  of  hot  sun  and  cloudless  sky  went 
over,  and  still  we  lingered  in  that  vile  village,  the  everlast- 
ing monotony  of  our  days  being  marked  by  the  same  brief 
morning  drill,  the  same  blue-legged  chicken  dinner,  the 
same  smoky  Loughrea  whiskey,  and  the  same  evening  stroll 
along  the  canal  bank  to  watch  for  the  Dublin  packet-boat, 
with  its  never-varying  cargo  of  cattle-dealers,  priests,  and 
peelers  on  their  way  to  the  west  country,  as  though  the 
demand  for  such  colonial  productions  in  these  parts  was 
insatiable.  This  was  pleasant,  you  will  say  ;  but  what  was 
to  be  done  ?  We  had  nothing  else.  Now,  nothing  saps  a 
man's  temper  like  ennui.  The  cranky,  peevish  people  one 
meets  with  would  be  excellent  folk,  if  they  only  had  some- 
thing to  do.  As  for  us,  I  '11  venture  to  say  two  men  more 
disposed  to  go  pleasantly  down  the  current  of  life  it  were 
hard  to  meet  with ;  and  yet,  such  was  the  consequence  of 
these  confounded  four  months'  sequestration  from  all  other 
society,  we  became  sour  and  cross-grained,  everlastingly  dis- 
puting about  trifles,  and  continually  arguing  about  matters 
which  neither  were  interested  in,  nor,  indeed,  knew  any- 
thing about.  There  were,  it  is  true,  few  topics  to  discuss  ; 
newspapers  we  never  saw  ;  sporting  there  was  none,  —  but 
then,  the  drill,  the  return  of  duty,  the  probable  chances 
of  our  being  ordered  for  service,  were  all  daily  subjects  to 
be  talked  over,  and  usually  with  considerable  asperity  and 


FRED  POWER'S  ADVENTURE   IN  PHELIPSTOWN.      247 

bitterness.  One  point,  however,  always  served  us  when 
hard  pushed  for  a  bone  of  contention ;  and  which,  be^un 
by  a  mere  accident  at  first,  gradually  increased  to  a  sore 
and  peevish  subject,  and  finally  led  to  the  consequences 
which  I  have  hinted  at  in  the  beginning.  This  was  no  less 
than  the  respective  merits  of  our  mutual  servants  ;  each 
everlastingly  indulging  in  a  tirade  against  the  other  for 
awkwardness,  incivility,  unhandiness, —  charges,  I  am  bound 
to  confess,  most  amply  proved  on  either  side. 

"  'Well,  I  am  sure,  O'Reilly,  if  you  can  stand  that  fellow, 
it's  no  affair  of  mine  ;  but  such  an  ungainly  savage  I  never 
met,'  I  would  say. 

"  To  which  he  would  reply,  '  Bad  enough  he  is,  certainly  ; 
but,  by  Jove  !  Avhen  I  only  think  of  your  Hottentot,  I  feel 
grateful  for  Avhat  I  've  got.' 

"Then  ensued  a  discussion,  Avith  attack,  rejoinder,  charge, 
and  recrimination  till  we  retired  for  the  night,  wearied  with 
our  exertions,  and  not  a  little  ashamed  of  ourselves  at  bot- 
tom for  our  absurd  warmth  and  excitement.  In  the  morn- 
ing the  matter  would  be  rigidly  avoided  by  each  party  until 
some  chance  occasion  had  brought  it  on  the  tapis,  when  hos- 
tilities would  be  immediately  renewed,  and  carried  on  with 
the  same  vigor,  to  end  as  before. 

"In  this  agreeable  state  of  matters  we  sat  one  warm 
summer  evening  before  the  mess-room,  under  the  shade  of 
a  canvas  awning,  discussing,  by  way  of  refrigerant,  our 
eighth  tumbler  of  whiskey  punch.  We  had,  as  usual,  been 
jarring  away  about  everything  under  heaven.  A  lately 
arrived  post-chaise,  with  an  old,  stiff-looking  gentleman 
in  a  queue,  had  formed  a  kind  of  '  godsend '  for  debate,  as 
to  who  he  was,  whither  he  was  going,  whether  he  really 
had  intended  to  spend  the  night  there,  or  that  he  only  put 
up  because  the  chaise  was  broken  ;  each,  as  was  customary, 
maintaining  his  own  opinion  with  an  obstinacy  we  have 
often  since  laughed  at,  though,  at  the  time,  we  had  few 
mirthful  thoughts  about  the  matter. 

"As  the  debate  w^axed  warm,  O'Reilly  asserted  that  he 
positively  knew  the  individual  in  question  to  be  a  United 
Irishman,  travelling  with  instructions  from  the  French  gov- 
ernment ;  while  I  laughed  him  to  scorn  by  swearing  that 


248  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

he  was  the  rector  of  Tyrrell's  Pass,  that  I  knew  him  well, 
and,  moreover,  that  he  was  the  worst  preacher  in  Ireland. 
Singular  enough  it  was  that  all  this  while  the  disputed 
identity  was  himself  standing  coolly  at  the  inn  window, 
with  his  snuff-box  in  his  hand,  leisurely  surveying  us  as  we 
sat,  appearing,  at  least,  to  take  a  very  lively  interest  in  our 
debate. 

"  '  Come,  now,'  said  O'Reilly,  '  there  's  only  one  way  to 
conclude  this,  and  make  you  pay  for  your  obstinacy.  What 
will  you  bet  that  he  's  the  rector  of  Tyrrell's  Pass  ? ' 

"  '  What  odds  will  you  take  that  he  's  Wolfe  Tone  ? ' 
inquired  I,  sneeringly. 

"  '  Five  to  one  against  the  rector,'  said  he,  exultingly. 

"  '  An  elephant's  molar  to  a  toothpick  against  Wolfe 
Tone,'  cried  I. 

"  '  Ten  pounds  even  that  I  'm  nearer  the  mark  than  you,' 
said  Tom,  with  a  smash  of  his  list  upon  the  table. 

"  '  Done,'  said  I,  — '  done.  But  how  are  we  to  decide  the 
wager  ? ' 

"  '  That 's  soon  done,'  said  he.  At  the  same  instant  he 
sprang  to  his  legs  and  called  out :  '  Pat,  I  say,  Pat,  I  want 
you  to  present  my  respects  to  — ' 

" '  No,  no,  I  bar  that ;  no  ex  parte  statements.  Here, 
Jem,  do  you  simply  tell  that  — ' 

" '  That  fellow  can't  deliver  a  message.  Do  come  here, 
Pat.     Just  beg  of  — ' 

" '  He  '11  blunder  it,  the  confounded  fool ;  so,  Jem,  do 
you  go.' 

"  The  two  individuals  thus  addressed  were  just  in  the  act 
of  conveying  a  tray  of  glasses  and  a  spiced  round  of  beef  for 
supper  into  the  mess-room ;  and  as  I  may  remark  that  they 
fully  entered  into  the  feelings  of  jealousy  their  respective 
masters  professed,  each  eyed  the  other  with  a  look  of  very 
unequivocal  dislike. 

" '  Arrah  !  you  need  n't  be  pushing  me  that  way,'  said 
Pat,  'an'  the  round  o'  beef  in  my  hands.' 

"  '  Devil's  luck  to  ye,  it 's  the  glasses  you  '11  be  breaking 
with  your  awkward  elbow  ! ' 

" '  Then,  why  don't  ye  leave  the  way  ?  Ain't  I  your 
suparior  ? ' 


FRED  POWER'S  ADVENTURE  IN  PHILIPSTOWN.     249 


"  '  Ain't  I  the  captain's  own  man  ? ' 

" '  Ay,  and  if  you  war.  Don't  I  belong  to  his  betters  ? 
Is  n't  my  master  the  two  liftenants  ?  ' 

"  This,  strange  as  it  may  sound,  was  so  far  true,  as  I  held 
a  commission  in  an  African  corps,  with  my  lieutenancy  in 
the  5th. 

"  '  Be-gorra,  av  he  was  six  —     There  now,  you  done  it ! ' 

'■At  the  same  moment,  a  tremendous  crash  took  place 
and  the  large  dish  fell  in  a  thousand  pieces  on  the  pave- 


^~"i,^w% 


ment,  while  the  spiced  round  rolled  pensively  down  the 
yard. 

"  Scarcely  was  the  noise  heard  when,  with  one  vigorous 
kick,  the  tray  of  glasses  was  sent  spinning  into  the  air,  and 
the  next  moment  the  disputants  were  engaged  in  bloody 
battle.  It  was  at  this  moment  that  our  attention  was  first 
drawn  towards  them,  and  I  need  not  say  with  what  feelings 
of  interest  we  looked  on. 

"  '  Hit  him,  Pat  —  there,  Jem,  under  the  guard  !  That 's 
it  —  go  in  !     Well  done,  left  hand  I     By  Jove  !  that  was  a 


250  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

facer  !  His  eye 's  closed  —  he  's  down  I  Not  a  bit  of  it  — 
how  do  you  like  that  ?  Unfair,  unfair  !  No  such  thing  ! 
I  say  it  was  !     Not  at  all  —  I  deny  it ! ' 

"By  this  time  we  had  approached  the  combatants,  each 
man  patting  his  own  fellow  on  the  back,  and  encouraging 
him  by  the  most  lavish  promises.  Now  it  was,  but  in  what 
way  I  never  could  exactly  tell,  that  I  threw  out  my  right 
hand  to  stop  a  blow  that  I  saw  coming  rather  too  near  me, 
when,  by  some  unhappy  mischance,  my  doubled  fist  lighted 
upon  Tom  O'Reilly's  nose.  Before  I  could  express  my  sin- 
cere regret  for  the  accident,  the  blow  was  returned  with 
double  force,  and  the  next  moment  we  were  at  it  harder 
than  the  others.  After  five  minutes'  sharp  work,  we  both 
stopped  for  breath,  and  incontinently  burst  out  a-laughing. 
There  was  Tom,  with  a  nose  as  large  as  three,  a  huge  cheek 
on  one  side,  and  the  whole  head  swinging  round  like  a  har- 
lequin's ;  while  I,  with  one  eye  closed,  and  the  other  like  a 
half-shut  cockle-shell,  looked  scarcely  less  rueful.  We  had 
not  much  time  for  mirth,  for  at  the  same  instant  a  sharp, 
full  voice  called  out  close  beside  us  •  — 

*' '  To  your  quarters,  sirs.  I  put  you  both  under  arrest, 
from  which  you  are  not  to  be  released  until  the  sentence  of 
a  court-martial  decide  if  conduct  such  as  this  becomes  officers 
and  gentlemen.' 

"  I  looked  round,  and  saw  the  old  fellow  in  the  queue, 

"'Wolfe  Tone,  by  all  that's  unlucky!'  said  I,  with  an 
attempt  at  a  smile. 

"  '  The  rector  of  Tyrrell's  Pass,'  cried  out  Tom,  with  a 
snuffle  ;  '  the  worst  preacher  in  Ireland  —  eh,  Fred  ? ' 

"We  had  not  much  time  for  further  commentaries  upon 
our  friend,  for  he  at  once  opened  his  frock  coat,  and  dis- 
played to  our  horrified  gaze  the  uniform  of  a  general  officer. 

"  *  Yes,  sir,  General  Johnson,  if  you  will  allow  me  to 
present  him  to  your  acquaintance ;  and  now,  guard,  turn 
out.' 

"In  a  few  minutes  more  the  orders  were  issued,  and  poor 
Tom  and  myself  found  ourselves  fast  confined  to  our  quar- 
ters, with  a  sentinel  at  the  door,  and  the  pleasant  prospect 
that,  in  the  space  of  about  ten  days,  we  should  be  broke,  and 
dismissed  the  service ;  which  verdict,  as  the  general  order 


FRED  POWER'S  ADVEXTURE  IN  PHILIPSTOWN.     251 

would  say,  the  commander  of  the  forces  has  been  graciously 
pleased  to  approve. 

'*  However,  when  morning  came  the  old  general,  who  was 
really  a  trump,  inquired  a  little  further  into  the  matter,  saw 
it  was  partly  accidental,  and  after  a  severe  reprimand,  and 
a  caution  about  Loughrea  whiskey  after  the  sixth  tumbler, 
released  us  from  arrest,  and  forgave  the  whole  aifair." 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

THE   VOYAGE   CONTINUED. 

Ugh,  what  a  miserable  thing  is  a  voyage  !  Here  we 
are  now  eight  days  at  sea,  the  eternal  sameness  of  all 
around  growing  every  hour  less  supportable.  Sea  and  sky 
are  beautiful  things  when  seen  from  the  dark  woods  and 
waving  meadows  on  shore ;  but  their  picturesque  effect 
is  sadly  marred  from  want  of  contrast.  Besides  that,  tlie 
"  tot/Jours  pork,"  with  crystals  of  salt  as  long  as  your  wife's 
fingers ;  the  potatoes  that  seemed  varnished  in  French  pol- 
ish ;  the  tea  seasoned  with  geological  specimens  from  the 
basin  of  London,  ycleped  maple  sugar ;  and  the  butter  — 
ye  gods,  the  butter  !  But  why  enumerate  these  smaller 
features  of  discomfort  and  omit  the  more  glaring  ones  ?  — 
the  utter  selfishness  which  blue  water  suggests,  as  inev- 
itably as  the  cold  fit  follows  the  ague.  The  good  fellow 
that  shares  his  knapsack  or  his  last  guinea  on  land,  here 
forages  out  the  best  corner  to  hang  his  hammock ;  jockej^s 
yoit  into  a  comfortless  crib,  where  the  uncalked  deck-butt 
filters  every  rain  from  heaven  on  your  head ;  votes  you 
the  corner  at  dinner,  not  only  that  he  may  place  you  with 
your  back  to  the  thorough-draught  of  the  gangway  ladder, 
but  that  he  may  eat,  drink,  and  lie  down  before  you  have 
even  begun  to  feel  the  qualmishness  that  the  dinner  of  a 
troop-ship  is  well  calculated  to  suggest ;  cuts  his  pencil 
with  your  best  razor  ;  wears  your  shirts,  as  washing  is 
scarce  ;  and  winds  up  all  by  having  a  good  story  of  you 
every  evening  for  the  edification  of  the  other  "sharp  gen- 
tlemen," who,  being  too  wide  awake  to  be  humbugged  them- 
selves, enjoy  his  success  prodigiously.  This,  gentle  reader, 
is  neither  confession  nor  avowal  of  mine.  The  passage  I 
have  here  presented  to  you  I  have  taken  from  the  journal 
of  my  brother  officer,  Mr.  Sparks,  who,  when  not  otherwise 
occupied,  usually  employed  his  time  in  committing  to  paper 


THE   VOYAGE   CONTINUED.  253 

liis  thoughts  upon  men,  manners,  and  things  at  sea  in  gen- 
eral ;  though,  sooth  to  say,  his  was  not  an  idle  life.  Being 
voted  by  unanimous  consent  "a  junior,"  he  was  condemned 
to  offices  that  the  veriest  fag  in  Eton  or  Harrow  had  re- 
belled against.  In  the  morning,  under  the  pseudonym  of 
Mrs.  Sparks,  he  presided  at  breakfast,  having  previously 
made  tea,  coifee,  and  chocolate  for  the  whole  cabin,  besides 
boiling  about  twenty  eggs  at  various  degrees  of  hardness ; 
he  was  under  heavy  recognizances  to  provide  a  plate  of 
buttered  toast  of  very  alarming  magnitude,  fried  ham,  kid- 
neys, etc.,  to  no  end.  Later  on,  when  others  sauntered 
about  the  deck,  vainly  endeavoring  to  fix  their  attention 
upon  a  novel  or  a  review,  the  poor  cornet  might  be  seen 
with  a  white  apron  tucked  gracefully  round  his  spare  pro- 
portions, whipping  eggs  for  pancakes,  or,  with  upturned 
shirt-sleeves,  fashioning  dough  for  a  pudding.  As  the  day 
waned,  the  cook's  galley  became  his  haunt,  where,  exposed 
to  a  roasting  fire,  he  inspected  the  details  of  a  cuisine;  for 
which,  whatever  his  demerits,  he  was  sure  of  an  ample 
remuneration  in  abuse  at  dinner.  Then  came  the  dinner 
itself,  that  dread  ordeal,  where  nothing  was  praised  and 
everything  censured.  This  was  followed  by  the  punch- 
making,  where  the  tastes  of  six  different  and  differing  in- 
dividuals were  to  be  exclusively  consulted  in  the  self-same 
beverage ;  and  lastly,  the  supper  at  night,  when  Sparkle, 
as  he  was  familiarly  called,  towards  evening  grown  quite 
exhausted,  became  the  subject  of  unmitigated  wrath  and 
most  unmeasured  reprobation. 

"  I  say.  Sparks,  it 's  getting  late.  The  spatch-cock,  old 
boy.     Don't  be  slumbering." 

"  By-the-bye,  Sparkle,  what  a  mess  you  made  of  that  pea- 
soup  to-day !     By  Jove,  I  never  felt  so  ill  in  my  life  !  " 

"  iSTa,  na ;  it  was  na  the  soup.  It  was  something  he  pit 
in  the  punch,  that 's  burning  me  ever  since  I  tuk  it.  Ou, 
man,  but  ye  're  an  awfu'  creture  wi'  vittals  !  " 

"  He  '11  improve,  Doctor ;  he  '11  improve.  Don't  discourage 
him ;  the  boy 's  young.  Be  alive  now,  there.  Where 's  the 
toast  ?  —  confound  you,  where  's  the  toast  ?  " 

"  There,  Sparks,  you  like  a  drumstick,  I  know.  Must  n't 
muzzle  the  ox,  eh  ?    Scripture  for  you,  old  boy.    Eat  away  j 


254  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

hang  the  expense.  Hand  him  over  the  jug.  Emr»ty  —  eh, 
Charley  ?    Come,  Sparkle,  bear  a  hand ;  the  liquor 's  out." 

"  But  won't  you  let  me  eat  ?  " 

'•  Eat !  Heavens,  what  a  fellow  for  eating  !  By  George, 
such  an  appetite  is  clean  against  the  articles  of  war  !  Come, 
man,  it 's  drink  we  're  thinking  of.  There 's  the  rum,  sugar, 
limes ;  see  to  the  hot  water.  Well,  Skipper,  how  are  we  get- 
ting on  ?  " 

"  Lying  our  course ;  eight  knots  off  the  log.  Pass  the 
rum.    Why,  Mister  Sparks  !  " 

'<  Eh,  Sparks,  what 's  this  ?  " 

*'  Sparks,  my  man,  confound  it ! " 

And  then,  omnes  chorussing  "  Sparks  ! "  in  every  key  of 
the  gamut,  the  luckless  fellow  would  be  obliged  to  jump 
up  from  his  meagre  fare  and  set  to  work  at  a  fresh  brewage 
of  punch  for  the  others.  The  bowl  and  the  glasses  filled, 
by  some  little  management  on  Power's  part  our  friend  the 
cornet  would  be  drawn  out,  as  the  phrase  is,  into  some  con- 
fession of  his  early  years,  which  seemed  to  have  been  exclu- 
sively spent  in  love-making,  —  devotion  to  the  fair  being 
as  integral  a  portion  of  his  character  as  tij^pling  was  of  the 
worthy  major's. 

Like  most  men  who  pass  their  lives  in  over-studious  efforts 
to  please,  —  however  ungallant  the  confession  be,  —  the  ami- 
able Sparks  had  had  little  success.  His  love,  if  not,  as  it 
generally  happened,  totally  unrequited,  was  invariably  the 
source  of  some  awkward  catastrophe,  there  being  no  imagin- 
able error  he  had  not  at  some  time  or  other  fallen  into,  nor 
any  conceivable  mischance  to  which  he  had  not  been  exposed. 
Inconsolable  widows,  attached  wives,  fond  mothers,  newly- 
married  brides,  engaged  young  ladies  were  by  some  contre- 
temps  continually  the  subject  of  his  attachments  ;  and  the 
least  mishap  which  followed  the  avowal  of  his  passion  was 
to  be  heartily  laughed  at  and  obliged  to  leave  the  neighbor- 
hood. Duels,  apologies,  actions  at  law,  compensations,  etc., 
were  of  e very-day  occurrence,  and  to  such  an  extent,  too, 
that  any  man  blessed  with  a  smaller  bump  upon  the  occi- 
put would  eventually  have  long  since  abandoned  the  pur- 
suit, and  taken  to  some  less  expensive  pleasure.  But  poor 
Sparks,  in  the  true  spirit  of  a  martyr,  only  gloried  the 


THE   VOYAGE   CONTINUED.  255 

more,  the  more  he  suffered  ;  and  like  the  worthy  man  who 
continued  to  purchase  tickets  in  the  lottery  for  thirty  years, 
with  nothing  but  a  succession  of  blanks,  he  ever  imagined 
that  Fortune  was  only  trying  his  patience,  and  had  some 
cool  forty  thousand  pounds  of  happiness  waiting  his  perse- 
verance in  the  end.  Whether  this  prize  ever  did  turn  up  in 
the  course  of  years,  I  am  unable  to  say ;  but  certainly,  up  to 
the  period  of  his  history  I  now  speak  of,  all  had  been  as 
gloomy  and  unrequiting  as  need  be.  Power,  who  knew  some- 
thing of  every  man's  adventures,  was  aware  of  so  much  of 
poor  Sparks's  career,  and  usually  contrived  to  lay  a  trap 
for  a  confession  that  generally  served  to  amuse  us  during 
an  evening,  —  as  much,  I  acknowledge,  from  the  manner  of 
the  recital  as  anything  contained  in  the  story.  There  was 
a  species  of  serious  matter-of-fact  simplicity  in  his  detail 
of  the  most  ridiculous  scenes  that  left  you  convinced  that 
his  bearing  upon  the  affair  in  question  must  have  greatly 
heightened  the  absurdity,  —  nothing,  however  comic  or  droll 
in  itself,  ever  exciting  in  him  the  least  approach  to  a  smile. 
He  sat  with  his  large  light-blue  eyes,  light  hair,  long  upper 
lip,  and  retreating  chin,  lisping  out  an  account  of  an  adven- 
ture, with  a  look  of  Liston  about  him  that  was  inconceivably 
amusing. 

"  Come,  Sparks,"  said  Power,  "I  claim  a  promise  you  made 
me  the  other  night,  on  condition  we  let  you  off  making  the 
oyster-patties  at  ten  o'clock ;  you  can't  forget  what  I  mean." 
Here  the  captain  knowingly  touched  the  tip  of  his  ear,  at 
which  signal  the  cornet  colored  slightly,  and  drank  off  his 
wine  in  a  hurried,  confused  way.  "  He  promised  to  tell  us, 
Major,  how  he  lost  the  tip  of  his  left  ear.  I  have  myself 
heard  hints  of  the  circumstance,  but  would  much  rather 
hear  Sparks's  own  version  of  it." 

"  Another  love  story,"  said  the  doctor,  with  a  grin,  "  I  '11 
be  bound." 

"  Shot  off  in  a  duel  ?  "  said  I,  inquiringly.  "  Close  work, 
too." 

"'No  such  thing,"  replied  Power  ;  "but  Sparks  will  en- 
lighten you.  It  is,  without  exception,  the  most  touching 
and  beautiful  thing  I  ever  heard.  As  a  simple  story,  it 
beats  the  'Vicar  of  Wakefield'  to  sticks." 


256  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  You  don't  say  so  ?  "  said  poor  Sparks,  blushing. 

"  Ay,  tliat  I  do  ;  and  maintain  it,  too.  I  'd  rather  be  the 
hero  of  that  little  adventure,  and  be  able  to  recount  it  as 
you  do,  —  for,  mark  me,  that 's  no  small  part  of  the  effect, 
—  than  I  'd  be  full  colonel  of  the  regiment.  Well,  I  am 
sure  I  always  thought  it  affecting.  But,  somehow,  my  dear 
friend,  you  don't  know  your  powers  ;  you  have  that  within 
you  would  make  the  fortune  of  half  the  periodicals  going. 
Ask  Monsoon  or  O'Malley  there  if  I  did  not  say  so  at  break- 
fast, when  you  were  grilling  the  old  hen,  —  which,  by-the- 
bye,  let  me  remark,  was  not  one  of  your  chefs-d^ceuvre.^^ 

"  A  tougher  beastie  I  never  put  a  tooth  in." 

"  But  the  story,  the  story,"  said  I. 

"  Yes,"  said  Power,  with  a  tone  of  command,  "  the  story, 
Sparks." 

"  Well,  if  you  really  think  it  worth  telling,  as  I  have 
always  felt  it  a  very  remarkable  incident,  here  goes." 


CHAPTEE  XXXII. 

MR.    SPARKS'S    STORY. 

"I  SAT  at  breakfast  one  beautiful  morning  at  the  Goat 
Inn  at  Barmouth,  looking  out  of  a  window  upon  the  lovely 
vale  of  Barmouth,  with  its  tall  trees  and  brown  trout-stream 
struggling  through  the  woods,  then  turning  to  take  a  view 
of  the  calm  sea,  that,  speckled  over  with  white-sailed  fishing- 
boats,  stretched  away  in  the  distance.  The  eggs  were  fresh ; 
the  trout  newly  caught ;  the  cream  delicious.  Before  me  lay 
the  'Plwdwddlwn  Advertiser,'  which,  among  the  fashion- 
able arrivals  at  the  seaside,  set  forth  Mr.  Sparks,  nephew 
of  Sir  Toby  Sparks,  of  Manchester,  —  a  paragraph,  by  the 
way,  I  always  inserted.  The  English  are  naturally  an  aris- 
tocratic people,  and  set  a  due  value  upon  a  title." 

"A  very  just  observation,"  remarked  Power,  seriously, 
while  Sparks  continued. 

"  However,  as  far  as  any  result  from  the  announcement, 
I  might  as  well  have  spared  myself  the  trouble,  for  not  a 
single  person  called.  Not  one  solitary  invitation  to  dinner, 
not  a  picnic,  not  a  breakfast,  no,  nor  even  a  tea-party,  was 
heard  of.  Barmouth,  at  the  time  I  speak  of,  was  just  in 
that  transition  state  at  which  the  caterpillar  may  be  im- 
agined, when,  having  abandoned  his  reptile  habits,  he  still 
has  not  succeeded  in  becoming  a  butterfly.  In  fact,  it  had 
ceased  to  be  a  fishing  village,  but  had  not  arrived  at  the 
dignity  of  a  watering-place.  Now,  I  know  nothing  as  bad 
as  this.  You  have  not,  on  one  hand,  the  quiet  retirement 
of  a  little  peaceful  hamlet,  with  its  humble  dwellings  and 
cheap  pleasures,  nor  have  you  the  gay  and  animated  tableau 
of  fashion  in  miniature,  on  the  other  ;  but  you  have  noise, 
din,  bustle,  confusion,  beautiful  scenery  and  lovely  points 
of  view  marred  and  ruined  by  vulgar  associations.  Every 
bold  rock  and  jutting  promontory  has  its  citizen  occupants ; 
every  sandy  cove  or  tide-washed  bay  has  its  myriads  of 

VOL.   I. — 17 


258  CHARLES   O'M ALLEY. 

squalling  babes  and  red  baize-clad  bathing  women,  —  those 
veritable  descendants  of  the  nymphs  of  old.  Pink  para- 
sols, donkey-carts,  baskets  of  bread-and-butter,  reticules, 
guides  to  Barmouth,  specimens  of  ore,  fragments  of  gyp- 
sum meet  you  at  every  step,  and  destroy  every  illusion  of 
the  picturesque. 

"  '  I  shall  leave  this,'  thought  I.  '  My  dreams,  my  long- 
cherished  dreams  of  romantic  walks  upon  the  sea-shore,  of 
evening  strolls  by  moonlight,  through  dell  and  dingle,  are 
reduced  to  a  short  promenade  through  an  alley  of  bathing- 
boxes,  amidst  a  screaming  population  of  nursery-maids  and 
sick  children,  with  a  thorough-bass  of  "  Fresh  shrimps  !  " 
discordant  enough  to  frighten  the  very  fish  from  the  shores. 
There  is  no  peace,  no  quiet,  no  romance,  no  poetry,  no  love.' 
Alas,  that  most  of  all  was  wanting  !  For,  after  all,  what  is 
it  which  lights  up  the  heart,  save  the  flame  of  a  mutual 
attachment  ?  What  gilds  the  fair  stream  of  life,  save  the 
bright  ray  of  warm  affection  ?    What  —  " 

"  In  a  word,"  said  Power,  "  it  is  the  sugar  in  the  punch- 
bowl of  our  existence.     Percje^  Sparks  ;  push  on." 

"  I  was  not  long  in  making  up  my  mind.  I  called  for  my 
bill ;  I  packed  my  clothes ;  I  ordered  post-horses  ;  I  was 
ready  to  start ;  one  item  in  the  bill  alone  detained  me.  The 
frequent  occurrence  of  the  enigmatical  word  'crw,'  following 
my  servant's  name,  demanded  an  explanation,  which  I  was 
in  the  act  of  receiving,  when  a  chaise-and-four  drove  rapidly 
up  to  the  house.  In  a  moment  the  blinds  were  drawn  up, 
and  such  a  head  appeared  at  the  window !  Let  me  pause 
for  one  moment  to  drink  in  the  remembrance  of  that  lovely 
being,  —  eyes  where  heaven's  own  blue  seemed  concentrated 
were  shaded  by  long,  deep  lashes  of  the  darkest  brown ;  a 
brow  fair,  noble,  and  expansive,  at  each  side  of  which 
masses  of  dark-brown  hair  waved  half  in  ringlets,  half  in 
loose  falling  bands,  shadowing  her  pale  and  downy  cheek, 
where  one  faint  rosebud  tinge  seemed  lingering ;  lips 
slightly  parted,  as  though  to  speak,  gave  to  the  features 
all  the  play  of  animation  which  completed  this  intellectual 
character,  and  made  up  —  " 

"What  I  should  say  was  a  devilish  pretty  girl,"  inter- 
rupted Power. 


MR.  SPARKS'S  STORY.  259 

"Back  the  widow  against  her  at  long  odds,  any  day," 
murmured  the  adjutant. 

"  She  was  an  angel !  an  angel  I "  cried  Sparks  with 
enthusiasm. 

"  So  was  the  widow,  if  you  go  to  that,"  said  the  adjutant, 
hastily. 

"  And  so  is  Matilda  Dalrymple,"  said  Power,  with  a  sly 
look  at  me.     "  We  are  all  honorable  men ;  eh,  Charley  ?  " 

"  Go  ahead  with  the  story,"  said  the  skipper ;  "  1  'm 
beginning  to  feel  an  interest  in  it." 

" '  Isabella,'  said  a  man's  voice,  as  a  large,  well-dressed 
personage  assisted  her  to  alight,  —  '  Isabella,  love,  you  must 
take  a  little  rest  here  before  we  proceed  farther.' 

"  '  I  think  she  had  better,  sir,'  said  a  matronly-looking 
woman,  with  a  plaid  cloak  and  a  black  bonnet. 

"  They  disappeared  within  the  house,  and  I  was  left  alone. 
The  bright  dream  was  past:  she  was  there  no  longer;  but 
in  my  heart  her  image  lived,  and  I  almost  felt  she  was 
before  me.  I  thought  I  heard  her  voice,  I  saw  her  move ;  my 
limbs  trembled  ;  my  hands  tingled  ;  I  rang  the  bell,  ordered 
my  trunks  back  again  to  No.  5,  and  as  I  sank  upon  the  sofa, 
murmured  to  myself,  '  This  is  indeed  love  at  first  sight.' " 

"  How  devilish  sudden  it  was,"  said  the  skipper. 

"  Exactly  like  camp  fever,"  responded  the  doctor.  "  One 
moment  ye  are  vara  well ;  the  next  ye  are  seized  wi'  a  kind 
of  shivering ;  then  comes  a  kind  of  mandering,  dandering, 
travelling  a'overness." 

"  D —  the  camp  fever,"  interrupted  Power. 

"  Well,  as  I  observed,  I  fell  in  love ;  and  here  let  me  take 
the  opportunity  of  observing  that  all  that  we  are  in  the 
habit  of  hearing  about  single  or  only  attachments  is  mere 
nonsense.  No  man  is  so  capable  of  feeling  deeply  as  he  who 
is  in  the  daily  practice  of  it.  Love,  like  everything  else  in 
this  world,  demands  a  species  of  cultivation.  The  mere 
t}'ro  in  an  affair  of  the  heart  thinks  he  has  exhausted  all 
its  pleasures  and  pains ;  but  only  he  who  has  made  it  his 
daily  study  for  years,  familiarizing  his  mind  with  every 
phase  of  the  passion,  can  properly  or  adequately  appre- 
ciate it.  Thus,  the  more  you  love,  the  better  you  love  ;  the 
more  frequently  has  your  heart  yielded  —  " 


260  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  It 's  vara  like  the  mucous  membrane,"  said  the  doctor. 

"  I  '11  break  your  neck  with  tlie  decanter  if  you  interrupt 
him  again  ! "  exclaimed  Power. 

"  For  days  I  scarcely  ever  left  the  house,"  resumed  Sparks, 
"  watching  to  catch  one  glance  of  the  lovely  Isabella.  My 
farthest  excursion  was  to  the  little  garden  of  the  inn,  where 
I  used  to  set  every  imaginable  species  of  snare,  in  the  event 
of  her  venturing  to  walk  there.  One  day  I  would  leave  a 
volume  of  poetry  •,  another,  a  copy  of  Paul  and  Virginia 
with  a  marked  page ;  sometimes  my  guitar,  with  a  broad, 
blue  ribbon,  would  hang  pensively  from  a  tree,  —  but,  alas  ! 
all  in  vain ;  she  never  appeared.  At  length  I  took  courage 
to  ask  the  waiter  about  her.  For  some  minutes  he  could 
not  comprehend  what  I  meant ;  but,  at  last,  discovering 
my  object,  he  cried  out,  '  Oh,  No.  8,  sir ;  it  is  No.  8  you 
mean  ?  ' 

"  '  It  may  be,'  said  I.     '  What  of  her,  then  ?  ' 

" '  Oh,  sir,  she  's  gone  these  three  days.' 

"  '  Gone  ! '  said  I,  with  a  groan. 

" '  Yes,  sir ;  she  left  this  early  on  Tuesday  with  the  same 
old  gentleman  and  the  old  woman  in  a  chaise-and-four. 
They  ordered  horses  at  Dolgelly  to  meet  them  ;  but  I  don't 
know  which  road  they  took  afterwards,' 

"  I  fell  back  on  my  chair  unable  to  speak.  Here  was  I 
enacting  Eomeo  for  three  mortal  daj's  to  a  mere  company 
of  Welsh  Avaiters  and  chamber-maids,  sighing,  serenading, 
reciting,  attitudinizing,  rose-plucking,  soliloquizing,  half- 
suiciding,  and  all  for  the  edification  of  a  set  of  savages, 
with  about  as  much  civilization  as  their  own  goats. 

" '  The  bill,'  cned  I,  in  a  voice  of  thunder  ;  '  my  bill  this 
instant.' 

"  I  had  been  imposed  upon  shamefully,  grossly  imposed 
upon,  and  would  not  remain  another  hour  in  the  house. 
Such  were  my  feelings  at  least,  and  so  thinking,  I  sent 
for  my  servant,  abused  him  for  not  having  my  clothes 
ready  packed.  He  replied ;  I  reiterated,  and  as  my  temper 
mounted,  vented  every  imaginable  epithet  upon  his  head, 
and  concluded  by  paying  him  his  wages  and  sending  him 
about  his  business.  In  one  hour  more  I  was  upon  tlie 
road. 


MR.   SPARKS'S   STORY,  261 

" '  Wliat  road,  sir,'  said  the  postilion,  as  he  mounted  into 
the  saddle. 

" '  To  the  devil,  if  you  please,'  said  I,  throwing  myself 
back  in  the  carriage. 

"  '  Very  well,  sir,'  replied  the  boy,  putting  spurs  to  his 
horse. 

"  That  evening  I  arrived  in  Bedgellert. 

"  The  little  humble  inn  of  Bedgellert,  with  its  thatched 
roof  and  earthen  floor,  was  a  most  welcome  sight  to  me, 
after  eleven  hours'  travelling  on  a  broiling  July  day.  Be- 
hind the  very  house  itself  rose  the  mighty  Snowdon,  tower- 
ing high  above  the  other  mountains,  whose  lofty  peaks  were 
lost  amidst  the  clouds  ;  before  me  was  the  narrow  valley  —  " 

"  Wake  me  up  when  he 's  under  way  again,"  said  the 
skipper,  yawning  fearfully. 

"  Go  on,  Sparks,"  said  Power,  encouragingly ;  "  I  was 
never  more  interested  in  my  life  ;  eh,  O'Malley  ?  " 

"  Quite  thrilling,"  responded  I,  and  Sparks  resumed. 

"Three  weeks  did  I  loiter  about  that  sweet  spot,  my 
mind  filled  with  images  of  the  past  and  dreams  of  the 
future,  my  fishing-rod  my  only  companion.  Not,  indeed, 
that  I  ever  caught  anything ;  for,  somehow,  my  tackle  was 
always  getting  foul  of  some  willow-tree  or  water-lily,  and 
at  last,  I  gave  up  even  the  pretence  of  whipping  the 
streams.  Well,  one  day  —  I  remember  it  as  well  as  though 
it  were  but  yesterday,  it  was  the  4th  of  August  —  I  had 
set  off  upon  an  excursion  to  Llanberris.  I  had  crossed 
Snowdon  early,  and  reached  the  little  lake  on  the  opposite 
side  by  breakfast  time.  There  I  sat  down  near  the  ruined 
tower  of  Dolbadern,  and  opening  my  knapsack,  made  a 
hearty  meal.  I  have  ever  been  a  day-dreamer ;  and  there 
are  few  things  I  like  better  than  to  lie,  upon  some  hot  and 
sunny  day,  in  the  tall  grass  beneath  the  shade  of  some  deep 
boughs,  with  running  water  murmuring  near,  hearing  the 
summer  bee  buzzing  monotonously,  and  in  the  distance,  the 
clear,  sharp  tinkle  of  the  sheep-bell.  In  such  a  place,  at 
such  a  time,  one's  fancy  strays  playfully,  like  some  happy 
child,  and  none  but  pleasant  thoughts  present  themselves. 
Fatigued  by  my  long  walk,  and  overcome  by  heat,  I  fell 
asleep.     How  long  I  lay  there  I  cannot  tell,  but  the  deep 


262  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

shadows  were  half  way  down  the  tall  mountain  when  I 
awoke.  A  sound  had  startled  me  ;  I  thought  I  heard  a 
voice  speaking  close  to  me.  I  looked  up,  and  for  some 
seconds  I  could  not  believe  that  I  was  not  dreaming.  Be- 
side me,  within  a  few  paces,  stood  Isabella,  the  beautiful 
vision  that  I  had  seen  at  Barmouth,  but  far,  a  thousand 
times,  more  beautiful.  She  was  dressed  in  something  like 
a  peasant's  dress,  and  wore  the  round  hat  which,  in  Wales 
at  least,  seems  to  suit  the  character  of  the  female  face  so 
Avell ;  her  long  and  waving  ringlets  fell  carelessly  upon  her 
shoulders,  and  her  cheek  flushed  from  walking.  Before  I 
had  a  moment's  notice  to  recover  my  roving  thought,  she 
spoke ;  her  voice  was  full  and  round,  but  soft  and  thrilling, 
as  she  said,  — 

"*I  beg  pardon,  sir,  for  having  disturbed  you  uncon- 
sciously ;  but,  having  done  so,  may  I  request  you  will  assist 
me  to  fill  this  pitcher  with  water  ?  ' 

"She  pointed  at  the  same  time  to  a  small  stream  which 
trickled  down  a  fissure  in  the  rock,  and  formed  a  little  well 
of  clear  water  beneath.  I  bowed  deeply,  and  murmuring 
something,  I  know  not  what,  took  the  pitcher  from  her 
hand,  and  scaling  the  rocky  cliff,  mounted  to  the  clear 
source  above,  where  having  filled  the  vessel,  I  descended. 
When  I  reached  the  ground  beneath,  I  discovered  that  she 
was  joined  by  another  person  whom,  in  an  instant,  I  recog- 
nized to  be  the  old  gentleman  I  had  seen  with  her  at  Bar- 
mouth, and  who  in  the  most  courteous  manner  apologized 
for  the  trouble  I  had  been  caused,  and  informed  me  that  a 
party  of  his  friends  were  enjoying  a  little  picnic  quite  near, 
and  invited  me  to  make  one  of  them. 

"  I  need  not  say  that  I  accepted  the  invitation,  nor  that 
with  delight  I  seized  the  opportunity  of  forming  an  ac- 
quaintance with  Isabella,  who,  I  must  confess,  upon  her 
part  showed  no  disinclination  to  the  prospect  of  my  joining 
the  party. 

"  After  a  few  minutes'  walking,  we  came  to  a  small  rocky 
point  which  projected  for  some  distance  into  the  lake,  and 
offered  a  view  for  several  miles  of  the  vale  of  Llanberris. 
Upon  this  lovely  spot  we  found  the  party  assembled ;  they 
consisted  of  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  persons,   all  busily 


MR.   SPARKS'S   STORY.  263 

engaged  in  the  arrangement  of  a  very  excellent  cold  dinner, 
each  individual  having  some  peculiar  province  allotted  to 
him  or  her,  to  be  performed  by  their  own  hands.  Thus, 
one  elderly  gentlemen  was  whipping  cream  under  a  chest- 
nut-tree, while  a  very  fashionably-dressed  young  man  was 
washing  radishes  in  the  lake ;  an  old  lady  with  spectacles 
was  frying  salmon  over  a  wood-lire,  opposite  to  a  shoi't, 
pursy  man  with  a  bald  head  and  drab  shorts,  deep  in  the 
mystery  of  a  chicken  salad,  from  which  he  never  lifted  his 
eyes  when  I  came  up.  It  was  thus  I  found  how  the  fair 
Isabella's  lot  had  been  cast,  as  a  drawer  of  water ;  she, 
with  the  others,  contributing  her  share  of  exertion  for  the 
common  good.  The  old  gentleman  who  accompanied  her 
seemed  the  only  unoccupied  person,  and  appeared  to  be 
regarded  as  the  ruler  of  the  feast ;  at  least,  they  all  called 
him  general,  and  implicitly  followed  every  suggestion  he 
threw  out.  He  was  a  man  of  a  certain  grave  and  quiet 
manner,  blended  with  a  degree  of  mild  good-nature  and 
courtesy,  that  struck  me  much  at  first,  and  gained  greatly 
on  me,  even  in  the  few  minutes  I  conversed  with  him  as 
we  came  along.  Just  before  he  presented  me  to  his  friends, 
he  gently  touched  my  .arm,  and  drawing  me  aside,  whis- 
pered in  my  ear  :  — 

" '  Don't  be  surprised  at  anything  you  may  hear  to-day 
here ;  for  I  must  inform  you  this  is  a  kind  of  club,  as  I 
may  call  it,  where  every  one  assumes  a  certain  character, 
and  IS  bound  to  sustain  it  under  a  penalty.  We  have  these 
little  meetings  every  now  and  then;  and  as  strangers  are 
never  present,  I  feel  some  explanation  necessary,  that  you 
may  be  able  to  enjoy  the  thing,  —  you  understand  ?  ' 

" '  Oh,  perfectly,'  said  I,  overjoyed  at  the  novelty  of  the 
scene,  and  anticipating  much  pleasure  from  my  chance 
meeting  with  such  very  original  characters. 

"  *  Mr.  Sparks,  Mrs.  Winterbottom.  Allow  me  to  present 
Mr.  Sparks.' 

" '  Any  news  from  Batavia,  young  gentleman  ?  '  said  the 
sallow  old  lady  addressed.     '  How  is  coffee  ! ' 

"The  general  passed  on,  introducing  me  rapidly  as  he 
went. 

"'Mr.  Doolittle,  Mr.  Sparks.' 


2G4  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  '  All,  how  do  you  do,  old  boy  ?  '  said  Mr.  Doolittle ;  '  sit 
down  beside  me.  We  have  forty  thousand  acres  of  pickled 
cabbage  spoiling  for  want  of  a  little  vinegar.' 

"  '  Fie,  fie,  Mr.  Doolittle,'  said  the  general,  and  passed  on 
to  another. 

"  '  Mr.  Sparks,  Captain  Crosstree.' 

"  '  Ah,  Sparks,  Sparks  !  son  of  old  Blazes  !  ha,  ha,  ha ! '  and 
the  captain  fell  back  into  an  immoderate  fit  of  laughter. 

"  '  Le  Rio  est  servl/  saidthe  thin  meagre  figure  in  nan- 
keens, bowing,  cap  in  hand,  before  the  general ;  and  ac- 
cordingly, we  all  assumed  our  places  upon  the  grass. 

" '  Say  it  again !  Say  it  again,  and  I  '11  plunge  this  dagger 
in  your  heart ! '  said  a  hollow  voice,  tremulous  with  agita- 
tion and  rage,  close  beside  me.  I  turned  my  head,  and 
saw  an  old  gentleman  with  a  wart  on  his  nose,  sitting 
opposite  a  meat-pie,  which  he  was  contemplating  with  a 
look  of  fiery  indignation.  Before  I  could  witness  the  sequel 
of  the  scene,  I  felt  a  soft  hand  pressed  upon  mine.  I 
turned.  It  was  Isabella  herself,  who,  looking  at  me  with 
an  expression  I  shall  never  forget,  said  :  — 

"  '  Don't  mind  yjoor  Faddy  ;  he  never  hurts  any  one.' 

"  Meanwhile  the  business  of  dinner  went  on  raj^idly.  The 
servants,  of  whom  enormous  numbers  were  now  present, 
ran  hither  and  thither;  and  duck,  ham,  pigeon-pie,  cold 
veal,  apple  tarts,  cheese,  pickled  salmon,  melon,  and  rice 
pudding,  flourished  on  every  side.  As  for  me,  whatever  I 
might  have  gleaned  from  the  conversation  around  under 
other  circumstances,  I  was  too  much  occupied  with  Isabella 
to  think  of  any  one  else.  My  suit  —  for  such  it  was  — pro- 
gressed rapidly.  There  was  evidently  something  favorable 
in  the  circumstances  we  last  met  under;  for  her  manner 
had  all  the  warmth  and  cordiality  of  old  friendship.  It  is 
true  that,  more  than  once,  I  caught  the  general's  eye  fixed 
upon  us  with  anything  but  an  expression  of  pleasure,  and 
I  thought  that  Isabella  blushed  and  seemed  confused  also. 
'  What  care  I  ? '  however,  was  my  reflection ;  *  ray  views  are 
honorable  ;  and  the  nephew  and  heir  of  Sir  Toby  Sparks  — ' 
Just  in  the  very  act  of  making  this  reflection,  the  old  man 
in  the  shorts  hit  me  in  the  eye  with  a  roasted  apple,  calling 
out  at  the  moment:  — 


MR.   SPARKS'S   STORY.  265 

" '  When  did  you  join,  thou  child  of  the  pale-faces  ? ' 

"  '  Mr.  Murdocks  ! '  cried  the  general,  in  a  voice  of  thun- 
der ;  and  the  little  man  hung  down  his  head,  and  spoke  not. 

"*A  word  with  you,  young  gentleman,'  said  a  fat  old 
lady,  pinching  my  arm  above  the  elbow. 

*'  <  Never  mind  her,'  said  Isabella,  smiling  ;  '  poor  dear 
old  Dorking,  she  thinks  she 's  an  hour-glass.  How  droll, 
is  n't  it  ?  ' 

"■ '  Young  man,  have  you  any  feelings  of  humanity  ? ' 
inquired  the  old  lady,  with  tears  in  her  eyes  as  she  spoke ; 
'  will  you,  dare  you  assist  a  fellow-creature  under  my  sad 
circumstances  ? ' 

"  '  What  can  I  do  for  you,  Madam  ? '  said  I,  really  feeling 
for  her  distress. 

"'Just  like  a  good  dear  soul,  just  turn  me  up,  for  I'm 
nearly  run  out.' 

"  Isabella  burst  out  a  laughing  at  the  strange  request,  — 
an  excess  which,  I  confess,  I  was  unable  myself  to  repress ; 
upon  which  the  old  lady,  putting  on  a  frown  of  the  most 
ominous  blackness,  said:  — 

" '  You  may  laugh,  Madam ;  but  first  before  you  ridicule 
the  misfortunes  of  others,  ask  yourself  are  you,  too,  free 
from  infirmity  ?  When  did  you  see  the  ace  of  spades, 
Madam  ?     Answer  me  that.' 

"  Isabella  became  suddenly  pale  as  death ;  her  very  lips 
blanched,  and  her  voice,  almost  inaudible,  muttered :  — 

'' '  Am  I,  then,  deceived  ?  Is  not  this  he  ? '  So  saying, 
she  placed  her  hand  upon  my  shoulder. 

" '  That  the  ace  of  spades  ?  '  exclaimed  the  old  lady,  with 
a  sneer,  — '  that  the  ace  of  spades  ! ' 

" '  Are  you,  or  are  you  not,  sir  ? '  said  Isabella,  fixing  her 
deep  and  languid  eyes  upon  me.  '  Answer  me,  as  you  are 
honest ;  are  you  the  ace  of  spades  ? ' 

" '  He  is  the  King  of  Tuscarora.  Look  at  his  war  paint!' 
cried  an  elderly  gentleman,  putting  a  streak  of  mustard 
across  my  nose  and  cheek. 

" '  Then  am  I  deceived,'  said  Isabella.  And  flying  at  me,_ 
she  plucked  a  handful  of  hair  out  of  my  whiskers. 

"  '  Cuckoo,  cuckoo ! '  shouted  one  ;  '  Bow  -  wow  -  wow  ! ' 
roared  ajiother;  'Phiz!'  went  a  third;  and  in  an  instant. 


266  CHARLES   O'xMALLEY. 

sucli  a  scene  of  commotion  and  riot  ensued.  Plates,  dishes, 
knives,  forks,  and  decanters  flew  right  and  left ;  every  one 
pitched  into  his  neighbor  with  the  most  fearful  cries,  and 
hell  itself  seemed  broke  loose.  The  hour-glass  and  the 
Moulah  of  Oude  had  got  me  down  and  were  pummelling  me 
to  death,  when  a  short,  thickset  man  came  on  all  fours  slap 
down  upon  them  shouting  out,  '  Way,  make  way  for  the 
royal  Bengal  tiger  ! '  at  which  they  both  fled  like  lightning, 
leaving  me  to  the  encounter  single-handed.  Fortunately, 
however,  this  was  not  of  very  long  duration,  for  some  well- 
disposed  Christians  pulled  him  from  off  me ;  not,  however, 
before  he  had  seized  me  in  his  grasp,  and  bitten  off  a  portion 
of  my  left  ear,  leaving  me,  as  you  see,  thus  mutilated  for 
the  rest  of  my  days." 

''  What  an  extraordinary  club,"  broke  in  the  doctor. 

"  Club,  sir,  club !  it  was  a  lunatic  asylum.  The  general 
was  no  other  than  the  famous  Dr.  Andrew  Moorville,  that 
had  the  great  madhouse  at  Bangor,  and  who  was  in  the  habit 
of  giving  his  patients  every  now  and  then  a  kind  of  country 
party  ;  it  being  one  remarkable  feature  of  their  malady  that 
when  one  takes  to  his  peculiar  flight,  whatever  it  be,  the 
others  immediately  take  the  hint  and  go  off  at  score.  Hence 
my  agreeable  adventure  :  the  Bengal  tiger  being  a  Liverpool 
merchant,  and  the  most  vivacious  madman  in  England; 
"while  the  hour-glass  and  the  Moulah  were  both  on  an 
experimental  tour  to  see  whether  they  should  not  be  pro- 
nounced totally  incurable  for  life." 

'^  And  Isabella  ?  "  inquired  Power. 

"Ah,  poor  Isabella  had  been  driven  mad  by  a  card-playing 
aunt  at  Bath,  and  was  in  fact  the  most  hopeless  case  there. 
The  last  words  I  heard  her  speak  confirmed  my  mournful 
impression  of  her  case,  — 

" '  Yes,'  said  she,  as  they  removed  her  to  her  carriage,  '  I 
must,  indeed,  have  but  a  weak  intellect,  when  I  could  have 
taken  the  nephew  of  a  Manchester  cotton-spinner,  with  a 
face  like  a  printed  calico,  for  a  trump  card,  and  the  best  in 
the  pack ! '  "■ 

Poor  Sparks  uttered  these  last  words  with  a  faltering 
accent,  and  finishing  his  glass  at  one  draught  withdrew 
Vv^ithout  wishing  us  good-night. 


CHAPTEE  XXXIII. 

THE    SKIPPER. 

In  such  like  gossipings  passed  our  days  away,  for  our 
voyage  itself  had  nothing  of  adventure  or  incident  to  break 
its  dull  monotony ;  save  some  few  hours  of  calm,  we  had 
been  steadily  following  our  seaward  track  with  a  fair  breeze, 
and  the  long  pennant  pointed  ever  to  the  land  Avhere  our 
ardent  expectations  were  hurrying  before  it. 

The  latest  accounts  which  had  reached  us  from  the  Penin- 
sula told  that  our  regiment  was  almost  daily  engaged  ;  and 
we  burned  with  impatience  to  share  with  the  others  the 
glory  they  were  reaping.  Power,  who  had  seen  service,  felt 
less  on  this  score  than  we  who  had  not  "  fleshed  our  maiden 
swords ; "  but  even  he  sometimes  gave  way,  and  when  the 
wind  fell  toward  sunset,  he  would  break  out  into  some  ex- 
clamation of  discontent,  half  fearing  we  should  be  too  late. 
"  For,"  said  he,  "  if  we  go  on  in  this  way  the  regiment  will 
be  relieved  and  ordered  home  before  we  reach  it." 

"Keverfear,  my  boys,  you'll  have  enough  of  it.  Both 
sides  like  the  work  too  well  to  give  in ;  they  've  got  a 
capital  ground  and  plenty  of  spare  time,"  said  the  major. 

"  Only  to  think,"  cried  Power,  "  that  we  should  be  lounging 
away  our  idle  hours  when  these  gallant  fellows  are  in  the 
saddle  late  and  early.  It  is  too  bad ;  eh,  O'Malley  ?  You  '11 
not  be  pleased  to  go  back  with  the  polish  on  your  sabre  ? 
What  will  Lucy  Dashwood  say  ?  " 

This  was  the  first  allusion  Power  had  ever  made  to  her, 
and  I  became  red  to  the  very  forehead. 

"  By-the-bye,"  added  he,  "  I  have  a  letter  for  Hammers- 
ley,  which  should  rather  have  been  entrusted  to  your 
keeping." 

At  these  words  I  felt  cold  as  death,  while  he  continued :  — 

"  Poor  fellow  !  certainly  he  is  most  desperately  smitten ; 
for,  mark  me,  when  a  man  at  his  age  takes  the  malady,  it 


268  CHARLES  O'^IALLEY. 

is  forty  times  as  severe  as  witli  a  younger  fellow,  like  you. 
But  then,  to  be  sure,  he  began  at  the  wrong  end  in  the 
matter  ;  why  commenoe  with  papa  ?  When  a  man  has  his 
own  consent  for  liking  a  girl,  he  must»be  a  contemptible 
fellow  if  he  can't  get  her ;  and  as  to  anything  else  being 
wanting,  I  don't  understand  it.  But  the  moment  you  begin 
by  influencing  the  heads  of  the  house,  good-by  to  your 
chances  with  the  dear  thing  herself,  if  she  have  any  spirit 
whatever.  It  is,  in  fact,  calling  on  her  to  surrender  with- 
out the  honors  of  war ;  and  what  girl  would  stand  that  ?  " 

'*  It 's  vara  true,"  said  the  doctor ;  "  there  's  a  strong  speerit 
of  opposition  in  the  sex,  from  physiological  causes." 

"  Curse  your  physiology,  old  Galen ;  what  you  call  oppo- 
sition, is  that  piquant  resistance  to  oppression  that  makes 
half  the  charm  of  the  sex.  It  is  with  them  —  with  rever- 
ence be  it  spoken  —  as  with  horses :  the  dull,  heavy-shoul- 
dered ones,  that  bore  away  with  the  bit  in  their  teeth, 
never  caring  whether  you  are  pulling  to  the  right  or  to 
the  left,  are  worth  nothing ;  the  real  luxury  is  in  the 
management  of  your  arching-necked  curvetter,  springing 
from  side  to  side  with  every  motion  of  your  wrist,  madly 
bounding  at  restraint,  yet,  to  the  practised  hand,  held  in 
check  with  a  silk  tread.     Eh,  Skipper,  am  I  not  right  ?  " 

"Well,  I  can't  say  I've  had  much  to  do  with  horse-beasts, 
but  I  believe  you  're  not  far  wrong.  The  lively  craft  that 
answers  the  helm  quick,  goes  round  well  in  stays,  luffs  up 
close  within  a  point  or  two,  when  you  want  her,  is  always 
a  good  sea-boat,  even  though  she  pitches  and  rolls  a  bit ; 
but  the  heavy  lugger  that  never  knows  whether  your  helm 
is  up  or  down,  whether  she  's  off  the  wind  or  on  it,  is  only 
fit  for  firewood,  —  you  can  do  nothing  with  a  ship  or  a 
woman  if  she  has  n't  got  steerage  way  on  her." 

"  Come,  Skipper,  we  've  all  been  telling  our  stories ;  let 
us  hear  one  of  yours  ?  " 

"  My  yarn  won't  come  so  well  after  your  sky-scrapers  of 
love  and  courting  and  all  that.  But  if  3'ou  like  to  hear  what 
happened  to  me  once,  I  have  no  objection  to  tell  you. 

"  I  often  think  how  little  we  know  what 's  going  to  hap- 
pen to  us  any  minute  of  our  lives.  To-day  we  have  the 
breeze  fair  in  our  favor,  we  are  going  seven  knots,  stud- 


THE   SKITPER.  269 

ding-sails  set,  smooth  water,  and  plenty  of  sea-room ;  to- 
morrow the  wind  freshens  to  half  a  gale,  the  sea  gets  up, 
a  rocky  coast  is  seen  from  the  lee  bow,  and  may  be  —  to 
add  to  all  —  we  spring  a  leak  forward  ;  but  then,  after  all, 
bad  as  it  looks,  mayhap,  we  rub  through  even  this,  and 
with  the  next  day,  the  prospect  is  as  bright  and  cheering 
as  ever.  You  '11  perhaps  ask  me  what  has  all  this  moraliz- 
ing to  do  with  women  and  ships  at  sea?  Nothing  at  all 
with  them,  except  that  I  was  a  going  to  say,  that  when  mat- 
ters look  worst,  very  often  the  best  is  in  store  for  us,  and 
we  should  never  say  strike  when  there  is  a  timber  together. 
Now  for  my  story  :  — 

"  It 's  about  four  years  ago,  I  was  strolling  one  evening 
down  the  side  of  the  harbor  at  Cove,  with  my  hands  in  my 
pocket,  having  nothing  to  do,  nor  no  prospect  of  it,  for  my 
last  ship  had  been  wrecked  off  the  Bermudas,  and  nearly 
all  the  crew  lost ;  and  somehow,  when  a  man  is  in  misfor- 
tune, the  underwriters  won't  have  him  at  no  price.  Well, 
there  I  was,  looking  about  me  at  the  craft  that  lay  on  every 
side  waiting  for  a  fair  wind  to  run  down  channel.  All  was 
active  and  busy ;  every  one  getting  his  vessel  ship-shape 
and  tidy,  —  tarring,  painting,  mending  sails,  stretching  new 
bunting,  and  getting  in  sea-store ;  boats  were  plying  on 
every  side,  signals  flying,  guns  firing  from  the  men-of-war, 
and  everything  was  lively  as  might  be,  —  all  but  me.  There 
I  was,  like  an  old  water-logged  timber  ship,  never  moving 
a  spar,  but  looking  for  all  the  world  as  though  I  were  a 
settling  fast  to  go  down  stern  foremost :  may  be  as  how  I 
had  no  objection  to  that  same  ;  but  that 's  neither  here  nor 
there.  Well,  I  sat  down  on  the  fluke  of  an  anchor,  and 
began  a  thinking  if  it  was  n't  better  to  go  before  the  mast 
than  live  on  that  way.  Just  before  me,  where  I  sat  down, 
there  was  an  old  schooner  that  lay  moored  in  the  same 
place  for  as  long  as  I  could  remember.  She  Avas  there  when 
I  was  a  boy,  and  never  looked  a  bit  the  fresher  nor  newer 
as  long  as  I  recollected ;  her  old  bluff  bows,  her  high  poop, 
her  round  stern,  her  flush  deck,  all  Dutch-like,  I  knew 
them  well,  and  many  a  time  I  delighted  to  think  what 
queer  kind  of  a  chap  he  was  that  first  set  her  on  the 
stocks,  and  pondered  in  what  trade  she  ever  could  have 


270  CHARLES  O'JIALLEY. 

been.  All  the  sailors  about  the  port  used  to  call  her 
Noah's  Ark,  and  swear  she  Avas  the  identical  craft  that  he 
stowed  away  all  the  wild  beasts  in  during  the  rainy  season. 
Be  that  as  it  might,  since  I  fell  into  misfortune,  I  got  to 
feel  a  liking  for  the  old  schooner;  she  was  like  an  old 
friend ;  she  never  changed  to  me,  fair  weather  or  foul ; 
there  she  was,  just  the  same  as  thirty  years  before,  when 
all  the  world  were  forgetting  and  steering  wide  away  from 
me.  Every  morning  I  used  to  go  down  to  the  harbor  and 
have  a  look  at  her,  just  to  see  that  all  was  right  ai^d  nothing 
stirred ;  and  if  it  blew  very  hard  at  night,  I  'd  get  up  and 
go  down  to  look  how  she  weathered  it,  just  as  if  I  was  at 
sea  in  her.  Now  and  then  I  'd  get  some  of  the  watermen  to 
row  me  aboard  of  her,  and  leave  me  there  for  a  few  hours ; 
when  I  used  to  be  quite  ha])py  walking  the  deck,  holding 
the  old  worm-eaten  wheel,  looking  out  ahead,  and  going 
down  below,  just  as  though  I  was  in  command  of  her.  Day 
after  day  this  habit  grew  on  me,  and  at  last  my  whole  life 
was  spent  in  watching  her  and  looking  after  her,  —  there 
was  something  so  much  alike  in  our  fortunes,  that  I  always 
thought  of  her.  Like  myself,  she  had  had  her  da}^  of  life 
and  activity ;  we  had  both  braved  the  storm  and  the  breeze ; 
her  shattered  bulwarks  and  worn  cutwater  attested  that  she 
had,  like  myself,  not  escaped  her  calamities.  We  both  had 
survived  our  dangers,  to  be  neglected  and  forgotten,  and  to 
lie  rotting  on  the  stream  of  life  till  the  crumbling  hand  of 
Time  should  break  us  up,  timber  by  timber.  Is  it  any  won- 
der if  I  loved  the  old  craft ;  nor  if  by  any  chance  the  idle 
boys  would  venture  aboard  of  her  to  play  and  amuse  them- 
selves that  I  hallooed  them  away;  or  when  a  newl}- -arrived 
ship,  not  caring  for  the  old  boat,  would  run  foul  of  her,  and 
carry  away  some  spar  or  piece  of  running  rigging,  I  would 
suddenly  call  out  to  them  to  sheer  off  and  not  damage  us  ? 
By  degrees,  they  came  all  to  notice  this ;  and  I  found  that 
they  thought  me  out  of  my  senses,  and  many  a  trick  was 
played  off  upon  old  Noah,  for  that  was  the  name  the  sailors 
gave  me. 

"Well,  this  evening,  as  I  was  saying,  I  sat  upon  the  fluke 
of  the  anchor,  waiting  for  a  chance  boat  to  put  me  aboard. 
It  was  past  sunset,  the  tide  was  ebbing,  and  the  old  craft 


THE   SKIPPER.  271 

was  surging  to  the  fast  current  that  ran  by  with  a  short, 
impatient  jerk,  as  though  she  were  well  weary,  and  wished 
to  be  at  rest ;  her  loose  stays  creaked  mournfully,  and  as 
she  yaAved  over,  the  sea  ran  from  many  a  breach  in  her 
worn  sides,  like  blood  trickling  from  a  wound.  *  Ay,  ay,' 
thought  I,  '  the  hour  is  not  far  off ;  another  stiff  gale,  and 
all  that  remains  of  you  will  be  found  high  and  dry  upon 
the  shore.'  My  heart  was  very  heavy  as  I  thought  of  this  ; 
for  in  my  loneliness,  the  old  Ark  —  though  that  was  not 
her  name,  as  I  '11  tell  you  presently  —  was  all  the  compan- 
ion I  had.  I  've  heard  of  a  poor  prisoner  who,  for  many 
and  many  years,  watched  a  spider  that  wove  his  web  within 
his  window,  and  never  lost  sight  of  him  from  morning  till 
night ;  and  somehow,  I  can  believe  it  well.  The  heart  will 
cling  to  something,  and  if  it  has  no  living  object  to  press 
to,  it  will  find  a  lifeless  one,  —  it  can  no  more  stand  alone 
than  the  shrouds  can  without  the  mast.  The  evening  wore 
on,  as  I  was  thinking  thus ;  the  moon  shone  out,  but  no 
boat  came,  and  I  was  just  determining  to  go  home  again 
for  the  night,  when  I  saw  two  men  standing  on  the  steps 
of  the  wharf  below  me,  and  looking  straight  at  the  Ark. 
Now,  I  must  tell  you  I  always  felt  uneasy  when  any  one 
came  to  look  at  her ;  for  I  began  to  fear  that  some  ship- 
owner or  other  would  buy  her  to  break  up,  though,  except 
the  copper  fastenings,  there  was  little  of  any  value  about 
her.  Now,  the  moment  I  saAV  the  two  figures  stop  short, 
and  point  to  her,  I  said  to  myself,  '  Ah,  my  old  girl,  so 
they  won't  even  let  the  blue  water  finish  you,  but  they  must 
set  their  carpenters  and  dockyard  people  to  work  upon  you.' 
This  thought  grieved  me  more  and  more.  Had  a  stiff  sou'- 
Avester  laid  her  over,  I  should  have  felt  it  more  natural,  for 
her  sand  was  run  out ;  but  just  as  this  passed  through  my 
mind,  I  heard  a  voice  from  one  of  the  persons,  that  I  at 
once  knew  to  be  the  port  admiral's :  — 

" '  Well,  Dawkins,'  said  he  to  the  other,  '  if  you  think 
she  '11  hold  together,  I  'm  sure  I  've  no  objection.  I  don't 
like  the  job,  I  confess;  but  still  the  Admiralty  must  be 
obeyed.' 

"  '  Oh,  my  lord,'  said  the  other,  '  she  's  the  very  thing  ; 
she 's  a  rakish-looking  craft,  and  will  do  admirabl}'.     Any 


2i2  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

repair  we  want,  a  few  days  will  effect ;  secrecy  is  the  great 
thing.' 

"  '  Yes,'  said  the  admiral,  after  a  pause,  '  as  you  observed, 
secrecy  is  the  great  thing.' 

"  '  Ho  !  ho  ! '  thought  I,  '  there  's  something  in  the  wind 
here ; '  so  I  laid  myself  out  upon  the  anchor-stock,  to  listen 
better,  unobserved. 

" '  We  must  find  a  crew  for  her,  give  her  a  few  carronades, 
make  her  as  ship-shape  as  we  can,  and  if  the  skipper  — ' 

" '  Ay,  but  there  is  the  real  difficulty,'  said  the  admiral, 
hastily ;  '  where  are  we  to  find  a  fellow  that  will  suit  us  ? 
We  can't  every  day  find  a  man  willing  to  jeopardize  him- 
self in  such  a  cause  as  this,  even  though  the  reward  be  a 
great  one.' 

i( '  Very  true,  my  lord  ;  but  I  don't  think  there  is  any 
necessity  for  our  explaining  to  him  the  exact  nature  of 
the  service.' 

" '  Come,  come,  Dawkins,  you  can't  mean  that  you  '11  lead 
a  poor  fellow  into  such  a  scrape  blindfolded  ?  ' 

"  '  Why,  my  lord,  you  never  think  it  requisite  to  give 
a  plan  of  your  cruise  to  yovir  ship's  crew  before  clearing 
out  of  harbor.' 

"  '  This  may  be  perfectly  just,  but  I  don't  like  it,'  said 
the  admiral. 

" '  In  that  case,  my  lord,  you  are  imparting  the  secrets 
of  the  Admiralty  to  a  party  who  may  betray  the  whole 
plot.' 

" '  I  wish,  with  all  my  soul,  they  'd  given  the  order  to 
any  one  else,'  said  the  admiral,  with  a  sigh ;  and  for  a  few 
moments  neither  spoke  a  word. 

" '  Well,  then,  Dawkins,  I  believe  there  is  nothing  for  it 
but  what  you  say;  meanwhile,  let  the  repairs  be  got  in 
hand,  and  see  after  a  crew.' 

" '  Oh,  as  to  that,'  said  the  other,  '  there  are  plenty  of 
scoundrels  in  the  fleet  here  fit  for  nothing  else.  Any 
fellow  who  has  been  thrice  up  for  punishment  in  six 
months,  we  '11  draft  on  board  of  her  ;  the  fellows  who  have 
only  been  once  to  the  gangway,  we  '11  make  the  officers.' 

" '  A  pleasant  ship's  company,'  thought  I,  *  if  the  Devil 
would  only  take  the  command.' 


THE   SKITPER.  273 

" '  And  with  a  skipper  proportionate  to  their  merit/  said 
Dawkins. 

"  '  Begad,  I  '11  wish  the  French  joy  of  them,'  said  the 
admiral. 

"  '  Ho,  ho  ! '  thonght  I,  '  I  've  found  you  out  at  last ;  so 
this  is  a  secret  expedition.  I  see  it  all ;  they  're  fitting  her 
out  as  a  fire-ship,  and  going  to  send  her  slap  m  among 
the  French  fleet  at  Brest.  Well,'  thought  I,  *  even  that 's 
better;  that,  at  least,  is  a  glorious  end,  though  the  poor 
fellows  have  no  chance  of  escape.' 

"  '  Now,  then,'  said  the  admiral,  *  to-morrow  you  '11  look 
out  for  the  fellow  to  take  the  command.  He  must  be  a 
smart  seaman,  a  bold  fellow,  too,  otherwise  the  ruffianly 
crew  will  be  too  much  for  him ;  he  may  bid  high,  we  '11 
come  to  his  price.' 

"  'So  you  may,'  thought  I,  'when  you're  buying  his  life.' 

" '  I  hope  sincerely,'  continued  the  admiral,  '  that  we  may 
light  upon  some  one  without  wife  or  child ;  I  never  could 
forgive  myself  — ' 

"'Never  fear,  my  lord,'  said  the  other;  'my  care  shall 
be  to  pitch  upon  one  whose  loss  no  one  would  feel ;  some 
one  without  friend  or  home,  Avho,  setting  his  life  for  nought, 
cares  less  for  the  gain  than  the  very  recklessness  of  the 
adventure.' 

" '  That 's  me,'  said  I,  springing  up  from  the  anchor-stock, 
and  springing  between  them  ;  '  I  'm  that  man.' 

"  Had  the  very  Devil  himself  appeared  at  the  moment, 
I  doubt  if  they  would  have  been  more  scared.  The  admiral 
started  a  pace  or  two  backwards,  while  Dawkins,  the  first 
surprise  over,  seized  me  by  the  collar,  and  held  me  fast. 

"  '  Who  are  you,  scoundrel,  and  what  brings  you  here  ? ' 
said  he,  in  a  voice  hoarse  with  passion. 

" '  I  'm  old  Noah,'  said  I ;  for  somehow,  I  had  been  called 
by  no  other  name  for  so  long,  I  never  thought  of  my  real 
one. 

"  '  Noah ! '  said  the  admiral,  —  'Noah  !  Well,  but  Noah, 
what  were  you  doing  here  at  this  time  of  night  ? ' 

"  '  I  was  a  watching  the  Ark,  my  lord,'  said  I,  bowing,  as 
I  took  off  my  hat. 

" '  I  've  heard  of  this  fellow  before,  my  lord,'  said  Daw- 

VOL.    I. —  18 


274  CHARLES  O'JIALLEY. 

kins ;  '  he 's  a  poor  lunatic  that  is  always  wandering  about 
the  harbor,  and,  I  believe,  has  no  harm  in  him.' 

"  '  Yes,  but  he  has  been  listening,  doubtless,  to  our  con- 
versation,' said  the  admiral.  '  Eh,  have  you  heard  all  we 
have  been  saying  ?  ' 

"  '  Every  word  of  it,  my  lord.' 

"  At  this  the  admiral  and  Dawkins  looked  steadfastly 
at  each  other  for  some  minutes,  but  neither  spoke ;  at  last 
Dawkins  said,  '  Well,  Noah,  I  've  been  told  yon  are  a  man 
to  be  depended  on  ;  may  we  rely  upon  your  not  repeating 
anything  you  overheard  this  evening,  —  at  least,  for  a  year 
to  come  ? ' 

" '  You  may,'  said  I. 

"'But,  Dawkins,'  said  the  admiral,  in  a  half- whisper,  'if 
the  poor  fellow  be  mad  ? ' 

" '  My  lord,'  said  I,  boldly,  '  I  am  not  mad.  Misfortune 
and  calamity  I  have  had  enough  of  to  make  me  so ;  but, 
thank  God,  my  brain  has  been  tougher  than  my  poor  heart. 
I  was  once  the  part-owner  and  commander  of  a  goodly  craft, 
that  swept  the  sea,  if  not  with  a  broad  pennon  at  her  mast- 
head, with  as  light  a  spirit  as  ever  lived  beneath  one.  I  was 
rich,  I  had  a  home  and  a  child ;  I  am  now  poor,  houseless, 
childless,  friendless,  and  an  outcast.  If  in  my  solitary 
wretchedness  I  have  loved  to  look  upon  that  old  bark,  it  is 
because  its  fortune  seemed  like  my  own.  It  had  outlived 
all  that  needed  or  cared  for  it.  For  this  reason  have  they 
thought  me  mad,  though  there  are  those,  and  not  few  either, 
who  can  well  bear  testimony  if  stain  or  reproach  lie  at  my 
door,  and  if  I  can  be  reproached  with  aught  save  bad  luck. 
I  have  heard  by  chance  what  you  have  said  this  night.  I 
know  that  you  are  fitting  out  a  secret  expedition ;  I  know 
its  dangers,  its  inevitable  dangers,  and  I  here  offer  myself 
to  lead  it.  I  ask  no  reward;  I  look  for  no  price.  Alas, 
Avho  is  left  to  me  for  Avhom  I  could  labor  now  ?  Give  me 
but  the  opportunity  to  end  my  days  with  honor  on  board  the 
old  craft,  Avhere  my  heart  still  clings ;  give  me  but  that. 
Well,  if  you  will  not  do  so  much,  let  me  serve  among  the 
crew  ;  put  me  before  the  mast.  My  lord,  you  '11  not  refuse 
this.  It  is  an  old  man  asks;  one  whose  gray  hairs  have 
floated  many  a  year  ago  before  the  breeze.' 


THE   SKIPPER  275 

" '  My  poor  fellow,  you  know  not  what  you  ask ;  this  is  no 
common  case  of  danger.' 

'* '  I  know  it  all,  my  lord ;  I  have  heard  it  all.' 
" '  Dawkins,  what   is  to  be  done   here  ? '    inquired  the 
admiral. 

" '  I  say,  friend/  inquired  Dawkins,  laying  his  hand  upon 
my  arm,  '  what  is  your  real  name  ?     Are  you  he  who  com- 
manded the  "  Dwarf  "  privateer  in  the  Isle  of  France  ? ' 
'' '  The  same/' 

"  '  Then  you  are  known  to  Lord  Collingwood  ?  ' 
" '  He  knows  me  well,  and  can  speak  to  my  character.' 
"  'What  he  says  of  himself  is  all  true,  my  lord.' 
"  '  True,'  said  I,  '  true  !     You  did  not  doubt  it,  did  you  ? ' 
"  'We,'  said  the  admiral,  '  must  speak  together  again.   Be 
here  to-morrow  night  at  this  hour ;  keep  your  own  counsel  of 
what  has  passed,  and  now  good-night.'     So  saying,  the  ad- 
miral took  Dawkins  by  the  arm  and  returned  slowly  towards 
the  town,  leaving  me  where  I   stood,  meditating  on  this 
singular  meeting  and  its  possible  consequences. 

"  The  whole  of  the  following  day  was  passed  by  me  in  a 
state  of  feverish  excitement  which  I  cannot  describe ;  this 
strange  adventure  breaking  in  so  suddenly  upon  the  dull 
monotony  of  my  daily  existence  had  so  aroused  and  stimu- 
lated me  that  I  could  neither  rest  nor  eat.  How  I  longed 
for  night  to  come ;  for  sometimes,  as  the  day  wore  later,  I 
began  to  fear  that  the  whole  scene  of  my  meeting  with  the 
admiral  had  been  merely  some  excited  dream  of  a  tortured 
and  fretted  mind ;  and  as  I  stood  examining  the  ground 
where  I  believed  the  interview  to  have  occurred,  I  en- 
deavored to  recall  the  position  of  different  objects  as  they 
stood  around,  to  corroborate  my  own  failing  remembrance. 

''  At  last  the  evening  closed  in  ;  but  unlike  the  preceding 
one,  the  sky  was  covered  with  masses  of  dark  and  watery 
cloud  that  drifted  hurriedly  across  ;  the  air  felt  heavy  and 
thick,  and  unnaturally  still  and  calm ;  the  water  of  the  har- 
bor looked  of  a  dull,  leaden  hue,  and  all  the  vessels  seemed 
larger  than  they  were,  and  stood  out  from  the  landscape 
more  clearly  than  usual ;  now  and  then  a  low  rumbling  noise 
was  heard,  somewhat  alike  in  sound,  but  far  too  faint  for 
distant  thunder,  while  occasionally  the  boats  and  smaller 


276  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

craft  rocked  to  and  fro,  as  though  some  ground  swell  stirred 
them  without  breaking  the  languid  surface  of  the  sea  above. 

"A  few  drops  of  thick,  heavy  rain  fell  just  as  the  dark- 
ness came  on,  and  then  all  felt  still  and  calm  as  before.  I 
sat  upon  the  anchor-stock,  my  eyes  fixed  upon  the  old  Ark, 
until  gradually  her  outline  grew  fainter  and  fainter  against 
the  dark  sky,  and  her  black  hull  could  scarcely  be  distin- 
guished from  the  water  beneath.  I  felt  that  I  was  looking 
towards  her ;  for  long  after  I  had  lost  sight  of  the  tall  mast 
and  high-pitched  bowsprit,  I  feared  to  turn  away  my  head 
lest  I  should  lose  the  place  where  she  lay. 

"  The  time  went  slowly  on,  and  although  in  reality  I  had 
not  been  long  there,  I  felt  as  if  years  themselves  had  passed 
over  my  head.  Since  I  had  come  there  my  mind  brooded 
over  all  the  misfortunes  of  my  life ;  as  I  contrasted  its 
outset,  briglit  with  hope  and  rich  in  promise,  with  the  sad 
reality,  my  heart  grew  heavy  and  my  chest  heaved  pain- 
fully. So  sunk  was  I  in  my  reflections,  so  lost  in  thouglit, 
that  I  never  knew  that  the  storm  had  broken  loose,  and  that 
the  heavy  rain  was  falling  m  torrents.  The  very  ground, 
parched  with  long  drought,  smoked  as  it  pattered  upon  it ; 
while  the  low,  wailing  cry  of  the  sea-gull,  mingled  with  the 
deep  growl  of  far-off  thunder,  told  that  the  night  was  a  fear- 
ful one  for  those  at  sea.  Wet  through  and  sliivering,  I  sat 
still,  now  listening  amidst  the  noise  of  the  hurricane  and  tlie 
creaking  of  the  cordage  for  any  footstep  to  approach,  and 
noAv  relapsing  back  into  half-despairing  dread  that  my 
heated  brain  alone  had  conjured  up  the  scene  of  the  day 
before.  Such  were  my  dreary  reflections  when  a  loud  crash 
aboard  the  schooner  told  me  that  some  old  spar  had  given 
way.  I  strained  my  eyes  through  the  dark  to  see  what  had 
happened,  but  in  vain ;  the  black  vapor,  thick  with  falling 
rain,  obscured  everything,  and  all  was  hid  from  view.  I 
could  hear  that  she  Avorked  violently  as  the  waves  beat 
against  her  worn  sides,  and  that  her  iron  cable  creaked  as 
she  pitched  to  the  breaking  sea.  The  wind  was  momentarily 
increasing,  and  I  began  to  fear  lest  I  should  have  taken  my 
last  look  at  the  old  craft,  when  my  attention  was  called  off 
by  hearing  a  loud  voice  cry  out,  '  Halloo  there  !  Where  are 
you  ? ' 


THE   SKIPPER.  2<t 

"'Ay,  ay,  sir,  I'm  here.'  In  a  moment  the  admiral  and 
his  friend  were  beside  me. 

r  « <  What  a  night ! '  exclaimed  the  admiral,  as  he  shook  the 
rain  from  the  heavy  boat-cloak  and  cowered  in  beneath  some 
tall  blocks  of  granite  near.  '  I  began  half  to  hope  that  you 
might  not  have  been  here,  my  poor  fellow,'  said  the  admiral ; 
'  it 's  a  dreadful  time  for  one  so  poorly  clad  for  a  storm.  I 
say,  Dawkins,  let  him  have  a  pull  at  your  flask.'  The 
brandy  rallied  me  a  little,  and  I  felt  that  it  cheered  my 
drooping  courage. 

" '  This  is  not  a  time  nor  is  it  a  place  for  much  parley,' 
said  the  admiral,  '  so  that  we  must  even  make  short  work  of 
it.  Since  we  met  here  last  night  I  have  satisfied  myself 
that  you  are  to  be  trusted,  that  your  character  and  reputar 
tion  have  nothing  heavier  against  them  than  misfortune, 
which  certainly,  if  I  have  been  rightly  informed,  has  been 
largely  dealt  out  to  you.  Now,  then,  I  am  willing  to  accept 
of  your  offer  of  service  if  you  are  still  of  the  same  mind  as 
when  you  made  it,  and  if  you  are  willing  to  undertake  what 
we  have  to  do  without  any  question  and  inquiry  as  to  points 
on  which  we  must  not  and  dare  not  inform  you.  Whatever 
you  may  have  overheard  last  night  may  or  may  not  have 
put  you  in  possession  of  our  secret.  If  the  former,  your 
determination  can  be  made  at  once ;  if  the  latter,  you  have 
only  to  decide  whether  you  are  ready  to  go  blindfolded  in 
the  business.' 

"  '  I  am  ready,  my  lord,'  said  I. 

" '  You  perhaps  are  then  a^vare  what  is  the  nature  of  the 
service  ? ' 

" '  I  know  it  not,'  said  I.  '  All  that  I  heard,  sir,  leads  me 
to  suppose  it  one  of  danger,  but  that 's  all.' 

"  '  I  think,  my  lord,'  said  Dawkins,  '  that  no  more  need 
now  be  said.  Cupples  is  ready  to  engage,  we  are  equally  so 
to  accept ;  the  thing  is  pressing.     When  can  you  sail  ? ' 

" '  To-night,'  said  I,  '  if  you  will.' 

" '  Eeally,  Dawkins,'  said  the  admiral,  *  I  don't  see  why  — ' 

"'jNly  lord,  I  beg  of  you,'  said  the  other,  interrupting, 
'let  me  now  complete  the  arrangement.  This  is  the  plan,' 
said  he,  turning  towards  me  as  he  spoke :  '  As  soon  as  that 
old  craft  can  be  got  ready  for  sea,  or  some  other  if  she  be 


278  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

not  worth  it,  you  will  sail  from  tliis  port  with  a  strong 
crew,  well  armed  and  supplied  with  ammunition.  Your 
destination  is  Malta,  your  object  to  deliver  to  the  admiral 
stationed  there  the  despatches  with  which  you  will  be  en- 
trusted ;  they  contain  information  of  immense  importance, 
which  for  certain  reasons  cannot  be  sent  through  a  ship  of 
war,  but  must  be  forwarded  by  a  vessel  that  may  not  attract 
peculiar  notice.  If  you  be  attacked,  your  orders  are  to  resist ; 
if  you  be  taken,  on  no  account  destroy  the  papers,  for  the 
French  vessel  can  scarcely  escape  capture  from  our  frigates, 
and  it  is  of  great  consequence  these  papers  should  remain. 
Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  our  plan ;  the  details  can  be  made 
known  to  you  hereafter.' 

" '  I  am  quite  ready,  my  lord.  I  ask  for  no  terms ;  I  make 
no  stipulations.  If  the  result  be  favorable  it  will  be  time 
enough  to  speak  of  that.     When  am  I  to  sail  ? ' 

"  As  I  spoke,  the  admiral  turned  suddenly  round  and  said 
something  in  a  whisper  to  Dawkins,  who  appeared  to  over- 
rule it,  whatever  it  might  be,  and  finally  brought  him  over 
to  his  own  opinion. 

'"Come,  Cupples,'  said  Dawkins,  'the  affair  is  now  set- 
tled ;  to-morrow  a  boat  will  be  in  waiting  for  you  opposite 
Spike  Island  to  convey  you  on  board  the  "  Semiramis,"  where 
every  step  in  the  whole  business  shall  be  explained  to  you ; 
meanwhile  you  have  only  to  keep  your  own  counsel  and 
trust  the  secret  to  no  one.' 

" '  Yes,  Cupples,'  said  the  admiral,  '  we  rely  upon  you  for 
that,  so  good-night.'  As  he  spoke  he  placed  within  my 
hands  a  crumpled  note  for  ten  pounds,  and  squeezing  my 
fingers,  departed. 

"  My  yarn  is  spinning  out  to  a  far  greater  length  than  I 
intended,  so  I  '11  try  and  shorten  it  a  bit.  The  next  day  I 
went  aboard  the  '  Semiramis,'  where,  when  I  appeared  upon 
the  quarter-deck,  I  found  myself  an  object  of  some  interest. 
The  report  that  I  was  the  man  about  to  command  the  'Brian,'' 
—  that  was  the  real  name  of  the  old  craft,  —  had  caused 
some  curiosity  among  the  officers,  and  they  all  spoke  to  me 
with  great  courtesy.  After  waiting  a  short  time  I  was  or- 
dered to  go  below,  where  the  admiral,  his  flag-captain,  Daw- 
kins, and  the  others  were  seated.     They  repeated  at  greater 


THE  SIOPPER.  ^<i> 

length  the  conversation  of  the  night  before,  and  finally 
decided  that  I  was  to  sail  in  three  weeks ;  for  although  the 
old  schooner  was  sadly  damaged,  they  had  lost  no  time,  but 
had  her  already  high  in  dock,  with  two  hundred  ship-car- 
penters at  work  upon  her. 

"  I  do  not  shorten  sail  here  to  tell  you  what  reports  were 
circulated  about  Cove  as  to  my  extraordinaiy  change  in  cir- 
cumstances, nor  how  I  bore  my  altered  fortunes.  It  is 
enough  if  I  say  that  in  less  than  three  weeks  I  weighed 
anchor  and  stood  out  to  sea  one  beautiful  morning  in  autumn, 
and  set  out  upon  my  expedition. 

"  I  have  already  told  you  something  of  the  craft.  Let  me 
complete  the  picture  by  informing  you  that  before  twenty- 
four  hours  passed  over  I  discovered  that  so  ungainly,  so 
awkward,  so  unmanageable  a  vessel  never  put  to  sea.  In 
light  winds  she  scarcely  stirred  or  moved,  as  if  she  were 
waterlogged ;  if  it  came  to  blow  upon  the  quarter,  she  fell 
off  from  her  helm  at  a  fearful  rate ;  in  wearing,  she  endan- 
gered every  spar  she  had ;  and  when  you  put  her  in  stays, 
when  half  round  she  would  fall  back  and  nearly  carry  away 
every  stitch  of  canvas  with  the  shock.  If  the  ship  was  bad, 
the  crew  was  ten  times  worse.  What  Dawkins  said  turned 
out  to  be  literally  true.  Every  ill-conducted,  disorderly 
fellow  who  had  been  up  the  gangway  once  a  week  or  so, 
every  unreclaimed  landsman  of  bad  character  and  no  sea- 
manship, was  sent  on  board  of  us  :  and  in  fact,  except  that 
there  was  scarcely  any  discipline  and  no  restraint,  we  ap- 
peared like  a  floating  penitentiary  of  convicted  felons. 

So  long  as  we  ran  down  channel  with  a  slack  sea  and  fair 
wind,  so  long  all  went  on  tolerably  well ;  to  be  sure  they 
only  kept  watch  when  they  were  tired  below,  when  they 
came  up,  reeled  about  the  deck,  did  all  just  as  they  pleased, 
and  treated  me  with  no  manner  of  respect.  After  some  vain 
efforts  to  repress  their  excesses,  —  vain,  for  I  had  but  one 
to  second  me,  —  I  appeared  to  take  no  notice  of  their  mis- 
conduct, and  contented  myself  with  waiting  for  the  time 
when,  my  dreary  voyage  over,  I  should  quit  the  command 
and  part  company  with  such  associates  forever.  At  last, 
however,  it  came  on  to  blow,  and  the  night  we  passed  the 
Lizard  was  indeed  a  fearful  one.     As  morning  broke,  a  sea 


280  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

running  mountains  higli,  a  wind  strong  from  the  northwest, 
was  hurrying  the  old  craft  along  at  a  rate  I  believed  impos- 
sible. I  shall  not  stop  to  recount  the  frightful  scenes  of 
anarchy,  confusion,  drunkenness,  and  insubordination  which 
our  crew  exhibited,  —  the  recollection  is  too  bad  already, 
and  I  would  spare  you  and  myself  the  recital ;  but  on  the 
fourtli  day  from  the  setting  in  of  the  gale,  as  we  entered  the 
Bay  of  Biscay,  some  one  aloft  descried  a  strange  sail  to 
windward  bearing  down  as  if  in  pursuit  of  us.  Scarcely 
did  the  news  reach  the  deck  when,  bad  as  it  was  before, 
matters  became  now  ten  times  worse,  some  resolving  to  give 
themselves  up  if  the  chase  happened  to  be  French,  and  vow- 
ing that  before  surrendering  the  spirit-room  should  be 
forced,  and  every  man  let  drink  as  he  pleased.  Others 
proposed  if  there  were  anything  like  equality  in  the  force, 
to  attack,  and  convert  the  captured  vessel,  if  they  succeeded, 
into  a  slaver,  and  sail  at  once  for  Africa.  Some  were  for 
blowing  up  the  old  'Brian'  with  all  on  board;  and  in  fact 
every  counsel  that  drunkenness,  insanity,  and  crime  com- 
bined could  suggest  was  offered  and  descanted  on.  Mean- 
while the  chase  gained  rapidly  upon  us,  and  before  noon  we 
discovered  her  to  be  a  French  letter-of-marque  with  four 
guns  and  a  long  brass  swivel  upon  the  poop  deck.  As  for 
us,  every  sheet  of  canvas  we  could  crowd  was  crammed  on, 
but  in  vain.  And  as  we  labored  through  the  heavy  sea,  our 
riotous  crew  grew  every  moment  worse,  and  sitting  down 
sulkily  in  groups  upon  the  deck,  declared  that,  come  what 
miglit,  they  would  neither  work  the  ship  nor  light  her ;  that 
they  had  been  sent  to  sea  in  a  rotten  craft  merely  to  effect 
their  destruction ;  and  that  they  cared  little  for  the  disgrace 
of  a  flag  they  detested.  Half  furious  with  the  taunting  sar- 
casm I  heard  on  every  side,  and  nearly  mad  from  passion, 
and  bewildered,  my  first  impulse  was  to  run  among  them 
with  my  drawn  cutlass,  and  ere  I  fell  their  victim,  take 
heavy  vengeance  upon  the  ringleaders,  when  suddenly  a 
sliarp  booming  noise  came  thundering  along,  and  a  round 
shot  went  flying  over  our  heads. 

"  '  Down  with  the  ensign ;  strike  at  once  ! '  cried  eight  or 
ten  voices  together,  as  the  ball  whizzed  through  the  rigging. 
Anticipating  this,  and  resolving,  whatever  might  happen, 


THE   SKIPPER.  281 

to  fight  her  to  the  last,  I  had  made  the  mate,  a  stanch- 
hearted,  resolute  fellow,  to  make  fast  the  signal  sailyard 
aloft,  so  that  it  was  impossible  for  any  one  on  deck  to 
lower  the  bunting.  Bang !  went  another  gun ;  and  before 
the  smoke  cleared  away,  a  third,  which,  truer  in  its  aim  than 
the  rest,  went  clean  through  the  lower  part  of  our  mainsail. 

" '  Steady,  then,  boys,  and  clear  for  action,'  said  the  mate. 
'  She 's  a  French  smuggling  craft  that  will  sheer  off  when  we 
show  fight,  so  that  we  must  not  fire  a  shot  till  she  comes 
alongside.' 

"  '  And  harkee,  lads,'  said  I,  taking  up  the  tone  of  encour- 
agement he  spoke  with,  '  if  we  take  her,  I  promise  to  claim 
nothing  of  the  prize.  Whatever  we  capture  you  shall  divide 
among  yourselves.' 

"  'It 's  very  easy  to  divide  what  we  never  had,'  said  one ; 
'  Nearly  as  easy  as  to  give  it,'  cried  another ;  '  I  '11  never 
light  match  or  draw  cutlass  in  the  cause,'  said  a  third. 

" '  Surrender ! '  '  Strike  the  flag  ! '  '  Down  with  the  colors ! ' 
roared  several  voices  together. 

"By  this  time  the  Frenchman  was  close  up,  and  ranging 
his  long  gun  to  sweep  our  decks ;  his  crew  were  quite  per- 
ceptible, —  about  twenty  bronzed,  stout-looking  fellows, 
stripped  to  the  waist,  and  carrying  pistols  in  broad  flat 
belts  slung  over  the  shoulder. 

" '  Come,  my  lads,'  said  I,  raising  my  voice,  as  I  drew  a 
pistol  from  my  side  and  cocked  it,  '  our  time  is  short  now ; 
I  may  as  well  tell  you  that  the  first  shot  that  strikes  us 
amidship  blows  up  the  whole  craft  and  every  man  on  board. 
We  are  nothing  less  than  a  fireship,  destined  for  Brest  har- 
bor to  blow  up  the  French  fleet.  If  you  are  willing  to  make 
an  effort  for  your  lives,  follow  me  ! ' 

"  The  men  looked  aghast.  Whatever  recklessness  crime 
and  drunkenness  had  given  them,  the  awful  feeling  of  in- 
evitable death  at  once  repelled.  Short  as  was  the  time  for 
reflection,  they  felt  that  there  were  many  circumstances  to 
encourage  the  assertion,  —  the  nature  of  the  vessel,  her  riot- 
ous, disorderly  crew,  the  secret  nature  of  the  service,  all 
confirmed  it,  —  and  they  answered  with  a  shout  of  despairing 
vengeance,  '  We  '11  board  her  ;  lead  us  on  ! '  As  the  cry  rose 
up,  the  long  swivel  from  the  chase  rang  sharply  in  our  ears. 


2S2  CHARLES   O'M.VLLEY. 

and  a  tremendous  discharge  of  grape  flew  through  our 
rigging.  None  of  our  men,  however,  fell ;  and  animated 
now  with  the  desire  for  battle,  they  sprang  to  the  binnacle, 
and  seized  their  arms. 

"  In  an  instant  the  whole  deck  became  a  scene  of  excited 
bustle ;  and  scarcely  was  the  ammunition  dealt  out,  and  the 
boarding  party  drawn  up,  when  the  Frenchman  broached  to 
and  lashed  his  bowsprit  to  our  own. 

"  One  terrific  yell  burst  from  our  fellows  as  they  sprang 
from  the  rigging  and  the  poop  upon  the  astonished  French- 
men, who  thought  that  the  victory  was  already  their  own ; 
with  death  and  ruin  behind,  their  only  hope  before,  they 
dashed  forward  like  madmen  to  the  fray. 

"  The  conflict  was  bloody  and  terrific,  though  not  a  long 
one.  Nearly  equal  in  number,  but  far  superior  in  personal 
strength,  and  stimulated  by  their  sense  of  danger,  our  fel- 
lows rushed  onward,  carrying  all  before  them  to  the  quarter- 
deck. Here  the  Frenchmen  rallied,  and  for  some  minutes 
had  rather  the  advantage,  until  the  mate,  turning  one  of 
their  guns  against  them,  prepared  to  sweep  them  down  in  a 
mass.  Then  it  was  that  they  ceased  their  fire  and  cried  out 
for  quarter,  —  all  save  their  captain,  a  short,  thick-set  fel- 
low, with  a  grizzly  beard  and  mustache,  who,  seeing  his 
men  fall  back,  turned  on  them  one  glance  of  scowling  indig- 
nation, and  rushing  forward,  clove  our  boatswain  to  the 
deck  with  one  blow.  Before  the  example  could  have  been 
followed,  he  lay  a  bloody  corpse  upon  the  deck ;  while  our 
people,  roused  to  madness  by  the  loss  of  a  favorite  among 
the  men,  dashed  impetuously  forward,  and  dealing  death 
on  every  side,  left  not  one  man  living  among  their  unresist- 
ing enemies.  My  story  is  soon  told  now.  We  brought  our 
prize  safe  into  Malta,  which  we  reached  in  five  days.  In 
less  than  a  week  our  men  were  drafted  into  different  men- 
of-war  on  the  station.  I  was  appointed  a  warrant  officer  in 
the  '  Sheerwater,'  forty-four  guns ;  and  as  the  admiral 
opened  the  despatch,  the  only  words  he  spoke  puzzled  me 
for  many  a  day  after. 

"  '  You  have  accomplished  your  orders  too  well,'  said  he ; 
'that  privateer  is  but  a  poor  compensation  for  the  whole 
French  navy.'  " 


THE  SKIPPER..  283 

"Well,"  inquired  Power,  ''and  did  you  never  hear  the 
meaning  of  the  words  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  he  ;  "  many  years  after  I  found  out  that  our 
despatches  were  false  ones,  intended  to  have  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  French  and  mislead  them  as  to  Lord  Nelson's 
fleet,  which  at  that  time  was  cruising  to  the  southward 
to  catch  them.  This,  of  course,  explained  what  fate  was 
destined  for  us,  —  a  French  prison,  if  not  deatli ;  and  after 
all,  either  was  fully  good  enough  for  the  crew  that  sailed  in 
the  old  '  Brian.' " 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

THE    LAND. 

It  was  late  wheu  we  separated  for  the  night,  and  the 
morning  was  already  far  advanced  ere  I  awoke  ;  the  mo- 
notonous tramp  overhead  showed  me  that  the  others  were 
stirring,  and  I  gently  moved  the  shutter  of  the  narrow 
window  beside  me  to  look  out. 

The  sea,  slightly  rippled  upon  its  surface,  shone  like  a 
plate  of  fretted  gold,  — not  a  wave,  not  a  breaker  appeared  ; 
but  the  rushing  sound  close  by  showed  that  we  were  moving 
fast  through  the  water. 

"  Always  calm  hereabouts,"  said  a  gruff  voice  on  deck, 
which  I  soon  recognized  as  the  skipper's ;  "  no  sea 
whatever." 

"  I  can  make  nothing  of  it,"  cried  out  Power,  from  the 
forepart  of  the  vessel.     "  It  appears  to  me  all  cloud." 

"  No,  no,  sir,  believe  me  ;  it 's  no  fog-bank,  that  large  dark 
mass  to  leeward  there,  — that 's  Cintra." 

"  Land  !  "  cried  I,  springing  up,  and  rushing  upon  deck  ; 
"  where.  Skipper,  —  where  is  the  land  ?  " 

"I  say,  Charley,"  said  Power,  "I  hope  you  mean  to  adopt 
a  little  more  clothing  on  reaching  Lisbon  ;  for  though  the 
climate  is  a  warm  one  —  " 

''Never  mind,  O'^Ialley,"  said  the  major,  "the  Portuguese 
will  only  be  flattered  by  the  attention,  if  you  land  as  you 
are." 

"Why,  how  so?" 

"  Surely,  you  remember  what  the  niggers  said  when  they 
saw  the  79th  Highlanders  landing  at  St.  Lucie.  They  had 
never  seen  a  Scotch  regiment  before,  and  were  consequently 
somewhat  puzzled  at  the  costume  ;  till  at  last,  one  more  cun- 
ning than  the  rest  explained  it  by  saying :  '  They  are  in  such 
a  hurry  to  kill  the  poor  black  men  that  they  came  away 
without  their  breeches.' " 


THE   LAXD.  285 

"Now,  what  say  you  ?"  cried  the  skipper,  as  he  pointed 
with  his  telescope  to  a  dark-blue  mass  in  the  distance ;  "  see 
there  ! " 

"Ah,  true  enough  ;  that 's  Cintra  ! " 

"Then  we  shall  probably  be  in  the  Tagus  Kiver  before 
morning  ?  " 

"Before  midnight,  if  the  wind  holds,"  said  the  skipper. 

We  breakfasted  on  deck  beneath  an  awning.  The  vessel 
scarcely  seemed  to  move  as  she  cut  her  way  through  the 
calm  water. 

The  misty  outline  of  the  coast  grew  gradually  more 
defined,  and  at  length  the  blue  mountains  could  be  seen  ; 
at  first  but  dimly,  but  as  the  day  wore  on,  their  many- 
colored  hues  shone  forth,  and  patches  of  green  verdure, 
dotted  with  sheep  or  sheltered  by  dark  foliage,  met  the 
eye.  The  bulwarks  were  crowded  with  anxious  faces ;  each 
looked  pointedly  towards  the  shore,  and  many  a  stout  heart 
beat  high,  as  the  land  drew  near,  fated  to  cover  with  its 
earth  more  than  one  among  us. 

"And  that's  Portingale,  Mister  Charles,"  said  a  voice 
behind  me.  I  turned  and  saw  my  man  Mike,  as  with  anx- 
ious joy,  he  fixed  his  eyes  upon  the  shore. 

"  They  tell  me  it 's  a  beautiful  place,  with  wine  for  nothing 
and  spirits  for  less.  Is  n't  it  a  pity  they  won't  be  raisonable 
and  make  peace  with  us  ?  " 

"  Why,  my  good  fellow,  we  are  excellent  friends  ;  it 's  the 
French  who  want  to  beat  us  all." 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  that 's  not  right.  There  's  an  ould 
saying  in  Connaught,  '  It 's  not  fair  for  one  to  fall  upon 
twenty.'  Sergeant  Haggarty  says  that  I  '11  see  none  of  the 
divarsion  at  all." 

"  I  don't  well  understand  —  " 

"  He  does  be  telling  me  that,  as  I  'm  onlj^  your  f ootboy, 
he  '11  send  me  away  to  the  rear,  where  there  's  nothing  but 
wounded  and  wagons  and  women." 

"  I  believe  the  sergeant  is  right  there  ;  but  after  all, 
Mike,  it 's  a  safe  place." 

"Ah,  then,  musha  for  the  safety!  I  don't  think  much 
of  it.  Sure,  they  might  circumvint  us.  And  av  it  was  n't 
displazing  to  you,  I  'd  rather  list." 


286  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

*^  Well,  I  've  no  objection,  Mickey.  Would  you  like  to 
join  my  regiment  ?  " 

"  By  coorse,  your  honor.  I  'd  like  to  be  near  yourself ; 
bekase,  too,  if  anything  happens  to  you,  — the  Lord  be  betune 
us  and  harm,"  here  he  crossed  himself  piously,  —  "  sure, 
I  'd  like  to  be  able  to  tell  the  master  how  you  died ;  and 
sure,  there  's  Mr.  Considine  —  God  pardon  him  !  He  '11  be 
beating  my  brains  out  av  I  could  n't  explain  it  all." 

"  Well,  Mike,  I  '11  speak  to  some  of  my  friends  here  about 
you,  and  we  '11  settle  it  all  properly.     Here 's  the  doctor." 

"  Arrah,  Mr.  Charles,  don't  mind  him.  He 's  a  poor 
crayture  entirely.     Devil  a  thing  he  knows." 

"  Why,  what  do  you  mean,  man  ?  He  's  physician  to  the 
forces." 

"  Oh,  be-gorra,  and  so  he  may  be  ! "  said  Mike,  with  a 
toss  of  his  head.  "  Those  army  docthers  is  n't  worth  their 
salt.  It 's  thruth  I  'm  telling  you.  Sure,  did  n't  he  come 
to  see  me  when  I  was  sick  below  in  the  hould  ? 

"  '  How  do  you  feel  ? '  says  he. 

"  *  Terribly  dliry  in  the  mouth,'  says  I. 

"  '  But  your  bones,'  says  he  ;  '  how  's  them  ?  ' 

"  'As  if  cripples  was  kicking  me,'  says  i. 

"Well,  with  that  he  wint  away,  and  brought  back  two 
powders. 

"  '  Take  them,'  says  he,  '  and  you  '11  be  cured  in  no  time.' 

"  '  What 's  them  ? '  says  I. 

"  '  They  're  ematics,'  says  he. 

"  'Blood  and  ages  ! '  says  I,  'are  they  ?  ' 

"  'Devil  a  lie,'  says  he  ;  'take  them  immediately.' 

"  And  I  tuk  them  ;  and  would  you  believe  me.  Mister 
Charles  ?  —  it 's  thruth  I  'm  telling  you,  —  devil  a  one  o' 
them  would  stay  on  ray  stomach.  So  you  see  what  a  doc- 
ther  he  is  ! " 

I  could  not  help  smiling  at  Mike's  ideas  of  medicine,  as  I 
turned  away  to  talk  to  the  major,  who  was  busily  engaged 
beside  me.  His  occupation  consisted  in  furbishing  up  a 
very  tarnished  and  faded  uniform,  whose  white  seams  and 
threadbare  lace  betokened  many  years  of  service. 

"  Getting  up  our  traps,  you  see,  O'Malley,"  said  he,  as  he 
looked  Avith  no  small  pride  at  the  faded  glories  of  his  old 


THE  LAXD.  2S7 

vestment.  "Astonish  them  at  Lisbon,  we  flatter  ourselves. 
I  say,  Power,  what  a  bad  style  of  dress  they  've  got  into 
latterly,  with  their  tight  waist  and  strapped  trousers  ;  no- 
thing free,  nothing  easy,  nothing  degage  about  it.  When  in 
a  campaign,  a  man  ought  to  be  able  to  stow  prog  for  twenty- 
four  hours  about  his  person,  and  no  one  the  Aviser.  A  very 
good  rule,  I  assure  you,  though  it  sometimes  leads  to  awk- 
ward results.  At  Vimeira,  I  got  into  a  sad  scrape  that  way. 
Old  Sir  Harry,  that  commanded  there,  sent  for  the  sick 
return.  I  was  at  dinner  when  the  orderly  came,  so  I  packed 
up  the  eatables  about  me,  and  rode  off.  Just,  however,  as  I 
came  up  to  the  quarters,  my  horse  stumbled  and  threw  me 
slap  on  my  head. 

"  '  Is  he  killed  ? '  said  Sir  Harry. 

"  '  Only  stunned,  your  Excellency,'  said  some  one. 

"  '  Then  he  '11  come  to,  I  suppose.  Look  for  the  papers 
in  his  pocket.' 

"  So  they  turned  me  on  my  back,  and  plunged  a  hand  into 
my  side-pocket ;  but,  the  devil  take  it !  they  pulled  out  a 
roast  hen.  Well,  the  laugh  was  scarcely  over  at  this,  when 
another  fellow  dived  into  my  coat  behind,  and  lugged  out 
three  sausages  ;  and  so  they  went  on,  till  the  ground  was 
covered  with  ham,  pigeon-pie,  veal,  kidney,  and  potatoes  ; 
and  the  only  thing  like  a  paper  was  a  mess-roll  of  the  4th, 
with  a  droll  song  about  Sir  Harry  written  in  pencil  on  the 
back  of  it.  Devil  of  a  bad  affair  for  me  !  I  was  nearly 
broke  for  it ;  but  they  only  reprimanded  me  a  little,  and  I 
was  afterwards  attached  to  the  victualling  department." 

What  an  anxious  thing  is  the  last  day  of  a  voyage  !  How 
slowly  creep  the  hours,  teeming  with  memories  of  the  past 
and  expectations  of  the  future  ! 

Every  plan,  every  well-devised  expedient  to  cheat  the 
long  and  weary  days  is  at  once  abandoned  ;  the  chess-board 
and  the  new  novel  are  alike  forgotten,  and  the  very  quarter- 
deck walk,  with  its  merry  gossip  and  careless  chit-chat,  be- 
comes distasteful.  One  blue  and  misty  mountain,  one  faint 
outline  of  the  far-off  shore,  has  dispelled  all  thought  of 
these  ;  and  with  straining  eye  and  anxious  heart,  we  watch 
for  land. 

As  the  day  wears  on  apace,  the  excitement  increases  ;  the 


288  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

faint  and  shadowy  forms  of  distant  objects  grow  gradually 
clearer.  Where  before  some  tall  and  misty  mountain  peak 
was  seen,  we  now  descry  patches  of  deepest  blue  and  som- 
bre olive  ;  the  mellow  corn  and  the  waving  woods,  the  vil- 
lage spire  and  the  lowly  cot,  come  out  of  the  landscape  ; 
and  like  some  well-remembered  voice,  they  speak  of  home. 
The  objects  we  have  seen,  the  sounds  we  have  heard  a  hun- 
dred times  before  without  interest,  become  to  us  now  things 
that  stir  the  heart. 

For  a  time  the  Inight  glare  of  the  noonday  sun  dazzles 
the  view  and  renders  indistinct  the  ])rospect ;  but  as  even- 
ing falls,  once  more  is  all  fair  and  bright  and  rich  before  us. 
Eocked  by  the  long  and  rolling  swell,  I  lay  beside  the  bow- 
sprit, watching  the  shore-birds  that  came  to  rest  upon  the 
rigging,  or  following  some  long  and  tangled  seaweed  as  it 
floated  by  ;  my  thoughts  now  wandering  back  to  the  brown 
hills  and  the  broad  river  of  my  early  home,  now  straying  off 
in  dreary  fancies  of  the  future. 

How  flat  and  unprofitable  does  all  ambition  seem  at  such 
moments  as  these  ;  how  valueless,  how  poor,  in  our  estima- 
tion, those  worldly  distinctions  we  have  so  often  longed  and 
thirsted  for,  as  with  lowly  heart  and  simple  spirit  we  watch 
each  humble  cottage,  weaving  to  ourselves  some  story  of  its 
inmates  as  we  pass  ! 

The  night  at  length  closed  in,  but  it  was  a  bright  and 
starry  one,  lending  to  the  landscape  a  hue  of  sombre  shadow, 
while  the  outlines  of  the  objects  were  still  sharp  and  distinct 
as  before.  One  solitary  star  twinkled  near  the  horizon.  I 
watched  it  as,  at  intervals  disappearing,  it  would  again 
shine  out,  marking  the  calm  sea  with  a  tall  pillar  of  light. 

"Come  down,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  cried  the  skipper's  well- 
known  voice,  —  "come  down  below  and  join  us  in  a  parting 
glass  ;  that 's  the  Lisbon  light  to  leeward,  and  before  two 
hours  we  drop  our  anchor  in  the  Tagus." 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

MAJOR    MONSOON. 

Of  my  travelling  companions  I  have  already  told  my 
readers  something.  Power  is  now  an  old  acquaintance ;  to 
Sparks  I  have  already  presented  them ;  of  the  adjutant  they 
are  not  entirely  ignorant ;  and  it  therefore  only  remains  for 
me  to  introduce  to  their  notice  Major  Monsoon.  I  should 
have  some  scruple  for  the  digression  which  this  occasions 
in  my  narrative,  were  it  not  that  with  the  worthy  major 
I  was  destined  to  meet  subsequently ;  and  indeed  served 
under  his  orders  for  some  months  in  the  Peninsula.  When 
Major  ^lonsoon  had  entered  the  army  or  in  what  precise 
capacity,  I  never  yet  met  the  man  who  could  tell.  There 
were  traditionary  accounts  of  his  having  served  in  the  East 
Indies  and  in  Canada  in  times  long  past.  His  own  peculiar 
reminiscences  extended  to  nearly  every  regiment  in  the  ser- 
vice, "horse,  foot,  and  dragoons."  There  was  not  a  clime  he 
had  not  basked  in  ;  not  an  engagement  he  had  not  witnessed. 
His  memory,  or,  if  you  will,  his  invention,  was  never  at 
fault ;  and  from  the  siege  of  Seringapatam  to  the  battle 
of  Corunna  he  was  perfect.  Besides  this,  he  possessed  a 
mind  retentive  of  even  the  most  trifling  details  of  his  pro- 
fession, —  from  the  formation  of  a  regiment  to  the  introduc- 
tion of  a  new  button,  from  the  laying  down  of  a  parallel  to 
the  price  of  a  camp-kettle,  he  knew  it  all.  To  be  sure,  he 
had  served  in  the  commissary-general's  department  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  nothing  instils  such  habits  as  this. 

"The  commissaries  are  to  the  army  what  the  special 
pleaders  are  te  the  bar,"  observed  my  friend  Power,  —  "dry 
dogs,  not  over  creditable  on  the  whole,  bu.t  devilish  useful." 

The  major  had  begun  life  a  two-bottle  man ;  but  by  a 
studious  cultivation  of  his  natural  gifts,  and  a  steady  deter- 
mination to  succeed,  he  had,  at  the  time  I  knew  him,  attained 
to  his  fifth.     It  need  not  be  wondered  at,  then,  that  hia 

VOL.  I. —  19 


290  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

countenance  bore  some  traces  of  his  habits.  It  was  of  a 
deep  sunset-purple,  which,  becoming  tropical,  at  the  tip  of 
the  nose  verged  almost  upon  a  plum-color  ;  his  mouth  was 
large,  thick-lipped,  and  good-humored ;  his  voice  rich,  mel- 
low, and  racy,  and  contributed,  with  the  aid  of  a  certain  dry, 
chuckling  laugh,  greatly  to  increase  the  effect  of  the  stories 
which  he  was  ever  ready  to  recount ;  and  as  they  most  fre- 
quently bore  in  some  degree  against  some  of  what  he  called 
his  little  failings,  they  were  ever  well  received,  no  man 
being  so  popular  with  the  world  as  he  who  flatters  its 
vanity  at  his  own  expense.  To  do  this  the  major  was 
ever  ready,  but  at  no  time  more  so  than  when  the  evening 
wore  late,  and  the  last  bottle  of  his  series  seemed  to  imply 
that  any  caution  regarding  the  nature  of  his  communication 
was  perfectly  unnecessary.  Indeed,  from  the  commence- 
ment of  his  evening  to  the  close,  he  seemed  to  pass  through 
a  number  of  mental  changes,  all  in  a  manner  preparing  him 
for  this  final  consummation,  when  he  confessed  anything 
and  everything ;  and  so  well  regulated  had  these  stages 
become,  that  a  friend  droj)ping  in  upon  him  suddenly  could 
at  once  pronounce  from  the  tone  of  his  conversation  on 
what  precise  bottle  the  major  was  then  engaged. 

Thus,  in  the  outset  he  was  gastronomic,  —  discussed  the 
dinner  from  the  soup  to  the  Stilton  ;  criticised  the  cutlets  ; 
pronounced  upon  the  merits  of  the  mutton ;  and  threw  out 
certain  vague  hints  that  he  would  one  day  astonish  the 
world  by  a  little  volume  upon  cookery. 

With  bottle  No.  2  he  took  leave  of  the  cuisine,  and  opened 
his  battery  upon  the  wine.  Bordeaux,  Burgundy,  hock,  and 
hermitage,  all  passed  in  review  before  him,  —  their  flavor 
discussed,  their  treatment  descanted  upon,  their  virtues 
extolled ;  from  humble  port  to  imperial  tokay,  he  was 
thorovighly  conversant  with  all,  and  not  a  vintage  escaped 
as  to  when  the  sun  had  suffered  eclipse,  or  when  a  comet 
had  wagged  his  tail  over  it. 

With  No.  3  he  became  pipeclay,  —  talked  army  list  and 
eighteen  manoeuvres,  lamented  the  various  changes  in  equip- 
ments which  modern  innovation  had  introduced,  and  feared 
the  loss  of  pigtails  might  sap  the  militaiy  spirit  of  the 
nation. 


MAJOR   MONSOON.  291 

With  Xo.  4  his  anecdotic  powers  came  into  play,  —  he  re- 
counted various  incidents  of  the  war  with  his  own  individual 
adventures  and  experience,  told  with  an  honest  naivete  that 
proved  personal  vanity ;  indeed,  self-respect  never  marred 
the  interest  of  the  narrative,  besides,  as  he  had  ever  re- 
garded a  campaign  something  in  the  light  of  a  foray,  and 
esteemed  war  as  little  else  than  a  pillage  excursion,  his 
sentiments  were  singularly  amusing. 

With  his  last  bottle,  those  feelings  that  seemed  inevitably 
connected  with  whatever  is  last  appeared  to  steal  over  him, 
—  a  tinge  of  sadness  for  pleasures  fast  passing  and  nearly 
passed,  a  kind  of  retrospective  glance  at  the  fallacy  of  all 
our  earthly  enjoyments,  insensibly  suggesting  moral  and 
edifying  reflections,  led  him  by  degrees  to  confess  that  he 
was  not  quite  satisfied  with  himself,  though  "  not  very  bad 
for  a  commissary ; "  and  finally,  as  the  decanter  waxed  low, 
he  would  interlard  his  meditations  by  passages  of  Scripture, 
singularly  perverted  by  his  misconception  from  their  true 
meaning,  and  alternately  throwing  out  prospects  of  censure 
or  approval.  Such  was  jMajor  Monsoon ;  and  to  conclude 
in  his  own  words  this  brief  sketch,  he  ''  wou.ld  have  been  an 
excellent  officer  if  Providence  had  not  made  him  such  a 
confounded,  drunken,  old  scoundrel." 

"  Now,  then,  for  the  King  of  Spain's  story.  Out  with  it, 
old  boy ;  we  are  all  good  men  and  true  here,"  cried  Power, 
as  we  sloAvly  came  along  upon  the  tide  up  the  Tagus,  "  so 
you  've  nothing  to  fear." 

"  Upon  my  life,"  replied  the  major,  "  I  don't  half  like  the 
tone  of  our  conversation.  There  is  a  certain  freedom  young 
men  affect  now  a-days  regarding  morals  that  is  not  at  all  to 
my  taste.     When  I  was  five  or  six  and  twenty  —  " 

"  You  were  the  greatest  scamp  in  the  service,"  cried 
Power, 

"  Pie,  fie,  Fred.  If  I  was  a  little  wild  or  so,"  —  here  the 
major's  eyes  twinkled  maliciously,  — ''  it  was  the  ladies  that 
spoiled  me ;  I  was  always  something  of  a  favorite,  just  like 
our  friend  Sparks  there,  Not  that  we  fared  very  much 
alike  in  our  little  adventures  ;  for  somehow,  I  believe  I  was 
generally  in  fault  in  most  of  mine,  as  many  a  good  man  and 
many  an  excellent  man  has  been  before."     Here  his  voice 


292  CHARLES   O'MALLEY 

dropped  into  a  moralizing  key,  as  he  added,  "  David,  you 
know,  did  n't  behave  well  to  old  Uriah.  Upon  my  life  he 
did  not,  and  he  was  a  very  respectable  man." 

"  The  King  of  Spain's  sherry !  the  sherry ! "  cried  I, 
fearing  thai  the  major's  digression  might  lose  us  a  good 
story. 

"You  shall  not  have  a  drop  of  it,"  replied  the  major. 

"But  the  story.  Major,  the  story!" 

"  Nor  the  story,  either." 

"  What,"  said  Power,  "  will  you  break  faith  with  us  ?  " 

''  There  's  none  to  be  kept  with  reprobates  like  you.  Fill 
my  glass." 

"  Hold  there  !  stop  ! "  cried  Power.  "Not  a  spoonful  till 
he  redeems  his  pledge." 

"Well,  then,  if  you  must  have  a  story,  —  for  most  as- 
suredly I  must  drink,  —  I  have  no  objection  to  give  you  a 
leaf  from  my  early  reminiscences ;  and  in  compliment  to 
Sparks  there,  my  tale  shall  be  of  love." 

"  I  dinna  like  to  lose  the  king's  story.  I  hae  my  thoughts 
it  was  na  a  bad  ane." 

"Nor  I  neither.  Doctor;  but  — " 

"  Come,  come,  you  shall  have  that  too,  the  first  night  we 
meet  in  a  bivouac,  and  as  I  fear  the  time  may  not  be  very 
far  distant,  don't  be  impatient ;  besides  a  love-story  —  " 

"Quite  true,"  said  Power,  "a  love-story  claims  prece- 
dence ;  2)lace  aux  davies.  There 's  a  bumper  for  you,  old 
wickedness  ;  so  go  along." 

The  major  cleared  otf  his  glass,  refilled  it,  sipped  twice, 
and  ogled  it  as  though  he  would  have  no  peculiar  objection 
to  sip  once  more,  took  a  long  pinch  of  snuff  from  a  box 
nearly  as  long  as,  anti  something  the  shape  of  a  child's 
coffin,  looked  around  to  see  that  Ave  were  all  attention,  and 
thus  began  ;  — 

"  When  I  have  been  in  a  moralizing  mood,  as  I  very  fre- 
quently am  about  this  hour  in  the  morning,  I  have  often  felt 
surprised  by  what  little,  trivial,  and  insignificant  circum- 
stances our  lot  in  life  seems  to  be  cast ;  I  mean  especially 
as  regards  the  fair  sex.  You  are  prospering,  as  it  were,  to- 
day ;  to-morrow  a  new  cut  of  your  whiskers,  a  novel  tie  of 
3'our  cravat,    mars   your   destiny  and   spoils  your  future, 


MAJOR  MONSOON.  293 

varium  et  mutahlle,  as  Horace  has  it.  On  the  other  hand, 
some  equally  slight  circumstance  will  do  what  all  your 
ingenuity  may  have  failed  to  effect.  I  knew  a  fellow  who 
married  the  greatest  fortune  in  Bath,  from  the  mere  habit 
he  had  of  squeezing  one's  hand.  The  lady  in  question 
thought  it  particular,  looked  conscious,  and  all  that ;  he 
followed  up  the  blow  ;  and,  in  a  word,  they  were  married 
in  a  week.  So  a  friend  of  mine,  who  could  not  help  wink- 
ing his  left  eye,  once  opened  a  flirtation  with  a  lively  widow 
which  cost  him  a  special  license  and  a  settlement.  In  fact 
you  are  never  safe.  They  are  like  the  guerillas,  and  they 
pick  you  oft'  when  you  least  expect  it,  and  when  you  think 
there  is  nothing  to  fear.  Therefore,  as  young  fellows  begin- 
ning life,  I  would  caution  you.  On  this  head  you  can  never 
be  too  circumspect.  Do  you  know,  I  was  once  nearly  caught 
by  so  slight  a  habit  as  sitting  thus,  with  my  legs  across." 

Here  the  major  rested  his  right  foot  on  his  left  knee,  in 
illustration,  and  continued  :  — 

"We  were  quartered  in  Jamaica.  I  had  not  long  joined, 
and  was  about  as  raw  a  young  gentleman  as  you  could  see ; 
the  only  very  clear  ideas  in  my  head  being  that  we  were 
monstrous  fine  fellows  in  the  50th,  and  that  the  planters' 
daughters  were  deplorably  in  love  with  us.  Not  that  I  was 
much  wrong  on  either  side.  For  brandy-and-water,  sangaree, 
Manilla  cigars,  and  the  ladies  of  color,  I  'd  have  backed  the 
corps  against  the  service.  Proof  was,  of  eighteen  only  two 
ever  left  the  island ;  for  what  with  the  seductions  of  the 
coffee  plantations,  the  sugar  canes,  the  new  rum,  tlie  brown 
skins,  the  rainy  season,  and  the  yellow  fever,  most  of  us 
settled  there. 

"  It 's  very  hard  to  leave  the  West  Indies  if  once  you  've 
been  quartered  there." 

"  So  I  have  heard,"  said  Power. 

"  In  fine,  if  you  don't  knock  under  to  the  climate,  you 
become  soon  totally  unfit  for  living  anywhere  else.  Pre- 
served ginger,  yams,  flannel  jackets,  and  grog  won't  bear 
exportation;  and  the  free-and-easy  chuck  under  the  chin, 
cherishing,  waist-pressing  kind  of  way  we  get  with  the  ladies 
would  be  quite  misunderstood  in  less  favored  regions,  and 
lead  to  very  unpleasant  consequences. 


294  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

"It  is  a  curious  fact  how  much  climate  has  to  do  with 
love-making.  In  our  cold  country  the  progress  is  lamentably 
slow.  Fogs,  east  winds,  sleet,  storms,  and  cutting  March 
weather  nip  many  a  budding  flirtation ;  whereas  warm, 
sunny  days  and  bright  moonlight  nights,  with  genial  air  and 
balmy  zephyrs,  open  the  heart  like  the  cup  of  a  camelia,  and 
let  us  drink  in  the  soft  dew  of  —  " 

"  Devilish  poetical,  that,"  said  Power,  evolving  a  long  blue 
line  of  smoke  from  the  corner  of  his  mouth. 

"Isn't  it,  though?"  said  the  major,  smiling  graciously. 
"  'Pon  my  life,  I  thought  so  myself.     Where  was  I  ?  " 

"  Out  of  my  latitude  altogether,"  said  the  poor  skipper, 
who  often  found  it  hard  to  follow  the  thread  of  a  story. 

"  Yes,  I  remember.  I  was  remarking  that  sangaree  and 
calipash,  mangoes  and  guava  jelly,  dispose  the  heart  to  love, 
and  so  they  do.  I  was  not  more  than  six  weeks  in  Jamaica 
when  I  felt  it  myself.  Now,  it  was  a  very  dangerous 
symptom,  if  you  had  it  strong  in  you,  for  this  reason.  Our 
colonel,  the  most  cross-grained  old  crabstick  that  ever 
breathed,  happened  himself  to  be  taken  in  when  young,  and 
resolving,  like  the  fox  who  lost  his  tail  and  said  it  was  not 
the  fashion  to  wear  one,  to  pretend  he  did  the  thing  for  fun, 
determined  to  make  every  fellow  marry  upon  the  slightest 
provocation.  Begad,  you  might  as  well  enter  a  powder  mag- 
azine with  a  branch  of  candles  in  your  hand,  as  go  into 
society  in  the  island  with  a  leaning  towards  the  fair  sex. 
Very  hard  this  was  for  me  particularly  ;  for  like  poor  Sparks 
there,  my  weakness  was  ever  for  the  petticoats.  I  had, 
besides,  no  petty,  contemptible  prejudices  as  to  nation,  habits, 
language,  color,  or  complexion ;  black,  brown,  or  fair,  from 
the  Muscovite  to  the  Malabar,  from  the  voluptuous  embon- 
jiomt  of  the  adjutant's  widow,  —  don't  be  angry  old  boy, — 
to  the  fairy  form  of  Isabella  herself,  I  loved  them  all  round. 
But  were  I  to  give  a  preference  anywhere  I  should  certainly 
do  so  to  the  West  Indians,  if  it  were  only  for  the  sake  of 
the  planters'  daughters.  I  say  it  fearlessly,  these  colonies 
are  the  brightest  jewels  m  the  crown.  Let 's  drink  their 
health,  for  I  'm  as  husky  as  a  lime-kiln." 

This  ceremony  being  performed  with  suitable  enthusiasm, 
the  major  cried  out,  "  Another  cheer  for  Polly  Hackett,  the 


MAJOR  MONSOON.  295 

sweetest  girl  in  Jamaica.  By  Jove,  Power,  if  you  only  saw 
her  as  I  did  five  and  forty  years  ago,  with  eyes  black  as  jet, 
twinkling,  ogling,  leering,  teasing,  and  imploring,  all  at 
once,  do  you  mind,  and  a  mouthful  of  downright  pearls  pout- 
ing and  smiling  at  you,  why,  man,  you  'd  have  proposed  for 
her  in  the  first  half-hour,  and  shot  yourself  the  next,  when 
she  refused  you.  She  was,  indeed,  a  perfect  little  beauty, 
rayther  dark,  to  be  sure,  —  a  little  upon  the  rosewood  tinge, 
but  beautifully  polished,  and  a  very  nice  piece  of  furniture 
for  a  cottage  orne,  as  the  French  call  it.  Alas,  alas,  how 
these  vanities  do  catch  hold  of  us  !  My  recollections  have 
made  me  quite  feverish  and  thirsty.  Is  there  any  cold  punch 
in  the  bowl  ?  Thank  you,  O'Malley,  that  will  do,  —  merely  to 
touch  my  lips.  Well,  well,  it 's  all  past  and  gone  now ;  but 
I  was  very  fond  of  Polly  Hackett,  and  she  was  of  me.  We 
used  to  take  our  little  evening  walks  together  through  the 
coffee  plantation :  very  romantic  little  strolls  they  were,  she 
in  white  muslin  with  a  blue  sash  and  blue  shoes ;  I  in  a 
flannel  jacket  and  trousers,  straw  hat  and  cravat,  a  Virginia 
cigar  as  long  as  a  walking-stick  in  my  mouth,  puffing  and 
courting  between  times ;  then  we  'd  take  a  turn  to  the 
refining-house,  look  in  at  the  big  boilers,  quiz  the  niggers, 
and  come  back  to  Twangberry  Moss  to  supper,  where  old 
Hackett,  the  father,  sported  a  glorious  table  at  eleven 
o'clock.  Great  feeding  it  was ;  you  were  always  sure  of  a 
preserved  monkey,  a  baked  land-crab,  or  some  such  delicacy. 
And  such  Madeira ;  it  makes  me  dry  to  think  of  it. 

"  Talk  of  West  India  slavery,  indeed.  It 's  the  only  land 
of  liberty.  There  is  nothing  to  compare  with  the  perfect 
free-and-easy,  devil-may-care-kin  d-of-a-take-yourself  way  that 
every  one  has  there.  If  it  would  be  any  peculiar  comfort 
for  you  to  sit  in  the  saddle  of  mutton,  and  put  your  legs  in 
a  soup  tureen  at  dinner,  there  would  be  found  very  few  to 
object  to  it.  There  is  no  nonsense  of  any  kind  about 
etiquette.  You  eat,  drink,  and  are  merry,  or,  if  you  prefer, 
are  sad ;  just  as  you  please.  You  may  wear  uniform,  or  you 
may  not,  it 's  your  own  affair  ;  and  consequently,  it  may  be 
imagined  how  insensibly  such  privileges  gain  upon  one,  and 
how  very  reluctant  we  become  ever  to  resign  or  abandon 
them. 


296  CHARLES   O'xMALLEY. 

"I  was  the  man  to  appreciate  it  all.  Tlie  whole  course 
of  proceeding  seemed  to  have  been  invented  for  my  peculiar 
convenience,  and  not  a  man  in  tlie  island  enjoyed  a  more 
luxurious  existence  than  myself,  not  knowing  all  the  while 
how  dearly  I  was  destined  to  pay  for  my  little  comforts. 
Among  my  plenary  after-dinner  indulgences  I  had  contracted 
an  inveterate  habit  of  sitting  cross-legged,  as  I  showed  you. 
Now,  this  was  become  a  perfect  necessity  of  existence  to  me. 
I  could  have  dispensed  with  cheese,  Avith  my  glass  of  port, 
my  pickled  mango,  my  olive,  my  anchovy  toast,  my  nutshell 
of  cura9oa,  but  not  my  favorite  lounge.  You  may  smile ; 
but  I  've  read  of  a  man  who  could  never  dance  except  in  a 
room  with  an  old  hair-brush.  Now,  I  'm  certain  my  stomach 
would  not  digest  if  my  legs  were  perpendicular.  I  don't 
mean  to  defend  the  thing.  The  attitude  was  not  graceful, 
it  was  not  imposing;  but  it  suited  me  somehow,  and  I 
liked  it. 

"  From  what  I  have  already  mentioned,  you  may  suppose 
that  West  India  habits  exercised  but  little  control  over  my 
favorite  practice,  which  I  indulged  in  every  evening  of  my 
life.  Well,  one  day  old  Hackett  gave  us  a  great  blow-out, 
—  a  dinner  of  two-and-twenty  souls ;  six  days'  notice ;  turtle 
from  St.  Lucie,  guinea-fowl,  claret  of  the  year  forty,  Madeira 
a  discretion,  and  all  that.  Very  well  done  the  whole  thing ; 
nothing  wrong,  nothing  wanting.  As  for  me,  I  was  in  great 
feather.  I  took  Polly  in  to  dinner,  greatly  to  the  discom- 
fiture of  old  Belson,  our  major,  who  was  making  up  in  that 
quarter ;  for  you  must  know,  she  was  an  only  daughter,  and 
had  a  very  nice  thing  of  it  in  molasses  and  niggers.  The 
papa  preferred  the  major,  but  Polly  looked  sweetly  upon 
me.  Well,  down  we  went,  and  really  a  most  excellent  feed 
we  had.  Now,  I  must  mention  here  that  Polly  had  a  favor- 
ite Blenheim  spaniel  the  old  fellow  detested ;  it  was  always 
tripping  him  up  and  snarling  at  him,  —  for  it  was,  except  to 
herself,  a  beast  of  rather  vicious  inclinations.  With  a  true 
Jamaica  taste,  it  was  her  pleasure  to  bring  the  animal  always 
into  the  dinner-room,  where,  if  papa  discovered  him,  there 
was  sure  to  be  a  row.  Servants  sent  in  one  direction  to 
hunt  him  out,  others  endeavoring  to  hide  him,  and  so  on  ;  in 
fact,  a  tremendous  hubbub  always  followed  his  introduction 


MAJOR   MONSOON.  297 

and  accompanied  his  exit,  upon  which,  occasions  I  invariably 
exercised  my  gallantry  by  protecting  the  beast,  although  I 
hated  him  like  the  devil  all  the  time. 

"To  return  to  our  dinner.  After  two  mortal  hours  of 
hard  eating,  the  pace  began  to  slacken,  and  as  evening 
closed  in,  a  sense  of  peaceful  repose  seemed  to  descend 
upon  our  labors.  Pastels  shed  an  aromatic  vapor  through 
the  room.  The  well-iced  decanters  went  with  measured 
pace  along  ;  conversation,  subdued  to  the  meridian  of  after- 
dinner  comfort,  just  murmured ;  the  open  jalousies  dis- 
played upon  the  broad  veranda  the  orange-tree  in  full 
blossom,  slightly  stirring  with  the  cool  sea-breeze." 

"And  the  piece  of  white  muslin  beside  you,  what  of 
her  ?  '• 

"  Looked  twenty  times  more  bewitching  than  ever.  Well, 
it  was  just  the  hour  when,  opening  the  last  two  buttons  of 
your  white  waistcoat  (remember  we  were  in  Jamaica),  you 
stretch  your  legs  to  tlie  full  extent,  throw  your  arm  care- 
lessly over  the  back  of  your  chair,  look  contemplatively 
towards  the  ceiling,  and  wonder,  within  yourself,  why  it  is 
not  all  '  after  dinner '  in  this  same  world  of  ours.  Such,  at 
least,  were  my  reflections  as  I  assumed  my  attitude  of 
supreme  comfort,  and  inwardly  ejaculated  a  health  to 
Sneyd  and  Barton.  Just  at  this  moment  I  heard  Polly's 
voice  gently  whisper,  — 

" '  Is  n't  he  a  love  ?     Is  n't  he  a  darling  ?  ' 

"  ^  Zounds ! '  thought  I,  as  a  pang  of  jealousy  shot 
through  my  heart,  '  is  it  the  major  she  means  ?  '  For  old 
Belson,  with  his  bag  wig  and  rouged  cheeks,  was  seated  on 
the  other  side  of  her. 

" '  What  a  dear  thing  it  is  ! '  said  Polly. 

"  '  Worse  and  worse,'  said  I ;  '  it  must  be  him.' 

" '  I  do  so  love  his  muzzy  face.' 

"  '  It  is  him  ! '  said  I,  throwing  off  a  bumper,  and  almost 
boiling  over  with  passion  at  the  moment. 

" '  I  wish  I  could  take  one  look  at  him,'  said  she,  laying 
down  her  head  as  she  spoke. 

"  The  major  whispered  something  in  her  ear,  to  which 
she  replied,  — 

" '  Oh,  I  dare  not ;  papa  will  see  me  at  once.' 


298  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

" '  Don't  be  afraid,  Madam/  said  I,  fiercely ;  '  your  father 
perfectly  approves  of  your  taste.' 

"  '  Are  you  sure  of  it  ? '  said  she,  giving  nie  such  a  look. 

"'I  know  it,'  said  I,  struggling  violently  with  my 
agitation. 

"The  major  leaned  over  as  if  to  touch  her  hand  beneath 
the  cloth.  I  almost  sprang  from  my  chair,  when  Polly,  in 
her  sweetest  accents,  said,  — 

"  '  You  must  be  patient,  dear  thing,  or  you  may  be  found 
out,  and  then  there  will  be  such  a  piece  of  work.  Though 
I  'm  sure.  Major,  you  would  not  betray  me.'  The  major 
smiled  till  he  cracked  the  paint  upon  his  cheeks.  '  And  I 
am  sure  that  Mr.  Monsoon  — ' 

" '  You  may  rely  upon  me,'  said  I,  half  sneeringly. 

"The  major  and  I  exchanged  glances  of  defiance,  while 
Polly  continued,  — 

" '  Now,  come,  don't  be  restless.  You  are  very  comfort- 
able there.  Is  n't  he.  Major  ?  '  The  major  smiled  again 
more  graciously  than  before,  as  he  added,  — 

" '  May  I  take  a  look  ? ' 

"'Just  one  peep,  then,  no  more  !'  said  she,  coquettishly  ; 
'  poor  dear  Wowski  is  so  timid.' 

"  Scarcely  had  these  words  borne  balm  and  comfort  to 
my  heart,  —  for  I  now  knew  that  to  the  dog,  and  not  to  my 
rival,  were  all  the  flattering  expressions  applied,  —  when  a 
slight  scream  from  Polly,  and  a  tremendous  oath  from  the 
major,  raised  me  from  my  dream  of  happiness. 

" '  Take  your  foot  doAvn,  sir.  Mr.  Monsoon,  how  could 
you  do  so  ? '  cried  Polly. 

" '  What  the  devil,  sir,  do  you  mean  ? '  shouted  the 
major. 

" '  Oh,  I  shall  die  of  shame,'  sobbed  she. 

"  '  I  '11  shoot  him  like  a  riddle,'  muttered  old  Belson. 

"  By  this  time  the  whole  table  had  got  at  the  story,  and 
such  peals  of  laughter,  mingled  with  suggestions  for  my 
personal  maltreatment,  I  never  heard.  All  my  attempts  at 
explanation  were  in  vain.  I  was  not  listened  to,  much  less 
believed  ;  and  the  old  colonel  finished  the  scene  by  ordering 
me  to  my  quarters,  in  a  voice  I  shall  never  forget,  the 
whole  room  being,  at  the  time  I  made  my  exit,  one  scene 


MAJOR  MOXSOON.  299 

of  tumultuous  laughter  from  one  end  to  the  other.  Jamaica 
after  this  became  too  hot  for  me.  The  story  was  repeated 
on  every  side ;  for,  it  seems,  I  had  been  sitting  with  my 
foot  on  Polly's  lap  ;  but  so  occupied  was  I  with  my  jealous 
vigilance  of  the  major  I  was  not  aware  of  the  fact  until  she 
herself  discovered  it. 

"  I  need  not  say  how  the  following  morning  brought  with 
it  every  possible  offer  of  amende  upon  my  part ;  anything 
from  a  written  apology  to  a  proposition  to  marry  the  lady 
I  was  ready  for,  and  how  the  matter  might  have  ended  I 
know  not ;  for  in  the  middle  of  the  negotiations,  we  were 
ordered  off  to  Halifax  where,  be  assured,  I  abandoned  my 
Oriental  attitude  for  many  a  long  day  after." 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

THE    LANDING. 

What  a  contrast  to  the  dull  monotony  of  our  life  at  sea 
did  the  scene  present  which  awaited  us  on  landing  in  Lis- 
bon. The  whole  quay  was  crowded  with  hundreds  of  people 
eagerly  watching  the  vessel  which  bore  from  her  mast  the 
broad  ensign  of  Britain.  Dark-featured,  swarthy,  mus- 
tached  faces,  with  red  caps  rakishly  set  on  one  side, 
mingled  with  the  Saxon  faces  and  fair-haired  natives  of  our 
own  country.  Men-of-war  boats  plied  unceasingly  to  and 
fro  across  the  tranquil  river,  some  slender  reefer  in  the 
stern-sheets,  while  behind  him  trailed  the  red  pennon  of 
some  "  tall  admiral." 

The  din  and  clamor  of  a  mighty  city  mingled  with  the 
far-off  sounds  of  military  music ;  and  in  the  vistas  of  the 
opening  street,  masses  of  troops  might  be  seen  in  marching 
order ;  and  all  betokened  the  near  approach  of  war. 

Our  anchor  had  scarcely  been  dropped,  when  an  eight-oar 
gig,  with  a  midshipman  steering,  came  alongside. 

"  Ship  ahoy,  there  !     You  've  troops  on  board  ?  " 

"Ay,  ay,  sir." 

Before  the  answer  could  be  spoken,  he  was  on  the  deck. 

"  May  I  ask,"  said  he,  touching  his  cap  slightly,  "  who  is 
the  officer  in  command  of  the  detachment  ?  " 

"  Captain  Power ;  very  much  at  your  service,"  said  Fred, 
returning  the  salute. 

"  Bear- Admiral  Sir  Edward  Douglas  requests  that  you 
will  do  him  the  favor  to  come  on  board  immediately,  and 
bring  your  despatches  with  you." 

"  I  'm  quite  ready,"  said  Power,  as  he  placed  his  papers 
in  his  sabretasche;  "but  first  tell  us  what's  doing  here. 
Anything  new  lately  ?  " 

"I  have  heard  nothing,  except  of  some  affair  with  the 
Portuguese,  —  they  've  been  drubbed  again  ;  but  our  people 


THE  LANDING.  301 

have  not  been  engaged.  I  say,  we  had  better  get  under 
way ;  there 's  our  first  lieutenant  with  his  telescope  up  ; 
he  's  looking  straight  at  us.  So,  come  along.  Good-evening, 
gentlemen."  And  in  another  moment  the  sharp  craft  was 
cutting  the  clear  water,  while  Power  gayly  waved  us  a 
good-by. 

"Who's  for  shore?"  said  the  skipper,  as  half-a-dozen 
boats  swarmed  around  the  side,  or  held  on  by  their  boat- 
hooks  to  the  rigging. 

"  Who  is  not  ?  "  said  Monsoon,  Avho  now  appeared  in  his 
old  blue  frock  covered  with  tarnished  braiding,  and  a 
cocked  hat  that  might  have  roofed  a  pagoda.  "  Who  is  not, 
my  old  boy  ?  Is  not  every  man  among  us  delighted  with 
the  prospect  of  fresh  prog,  cool  wine,  and  a  bed  somewhat 
longer  than  four  feet  six  ?  I  say,  O'Malley !  Sparks ! 
Where 's  the  adjutant  ?  Ah,  there  he  is  !  We  '11  not  mind 
the  doctor,  —  he  's  a  very  jovial  little  fellow,  but  a  damned 
bore,  entre  nous;  and  we  '11  have  a  cosy  little  supper  at  the 
Rue  di  Toledo.  I  know  the  place  well.  Whew,  now !  Get 
away,  boy.  Sit  steady,  Sparks  ;  she  's  only  a  cockleshell. 
There  ;  that 's  the  Plaza  de  la  Regna,  —  there,  to  the  left. 
There  's  the  great  cathedral,  —  you  can't  see  it  now.  An- 
other seventy-four !  Why  there  's  a  whole  fleet  here  !  I 
wish  old  Power  joy  of  his  afternoon  with  old  Douglas."    . 

"  Do  you  know  him  then.  Major  ?  " 

'•'  Do  I  ?  —  I  should  rather  think  I  do.  He  was  going  to 
put  me  in  irons  here  in  this  river  once.  A  great  shame  it 
was ;  but  I  '11  tell  you  the  story  another  time.  There, 
gently  now  ;  that 's  it.  Thank  God  !  once  more  upon  land. 
How  I  do  hate  a  ship ;  upon  my  life,  a  sauce-boat  is  the 
only  boat  endurable  in  this  world.". 

We  edged  our  way  with  difficulty  through  the  dense 
crowd,  and  at  last  reached  the  Plaza.  Here  the  numbers 
were  still  greater,  but  of  a  different  class  :  several  pretty 
and  well-dressed  women,  with  their  dark  eyes  twinkling 
above  their  black  mantillas  as  they  held  them  across  their 
faces,  watched  with  an  intense  curiosity  one  of  the  streets 
that  opened  upon  the  square. 

In  a  few  moments  the  band  of  a  regiment  was  heard,  and 
very  shortly  after  the  regular  tramp  of  troops  followed,  as 


302  CHARLES  O'JklALLEY. 

the  Eiglity-seveuth  marclied.  into  the  Plaza,  and  formed  a 
line. 

The  music  ceased ;  the  drums  rolled  along  the  line ;  and 
the  next  moment  all  was  still.  It  was  really  an  inspiriting 
sight  to  one  whose  heart  was  interested  in  the  career,  to 
see  those  gallant  fellows,  as,  with  their  bronzed  faces  and 
stalwart  frames,  they  stood  motionless  as  a  rock.  As  I 
continued  to  look,  the  band  marched  into  the  middle  of 
the  square,  and  struck  up,  "  Garryowen."  Scarcely  was  the 
first  part  played,  when  a  tremendous  cheer  burst  from  the 
troop-ship  in  the  river.  The  welcome  notes  had  reached 
the  poor  fellows  there ;  the  well-known  sounds  that  told 
of  home  and  country  met  their  ears  ;  and  the  loud  cry  of 
recognition  bespoke  their  hearts'  fulness. 

"  There  they  go.  Your  wild  countrymen  have  heard  their 
Ranz  des  vaches,  it  seems.  Lord !  how  they  frightened  the 
poor  Portuguese  ;  look  how  they  're  running  !  " 

Such  was  actually  the  case.  The  loud  cheer  uttered  from 
the  river  was  taken  up  by  others  straggling  on  shore,  and 
one  universal  shout  betokened  that  fully  one-third  of  the 
red-coats  around  came  from  the  dear  island,  and  in  their 
enthusiasm  had  terrified  the  natives  to  no  small  extent. 

"Is  not  that  Ferguson  there!"  cried  the  major,  as  an 
officer  passed  us  with  his  arm  in  a  sling.  "  I  say,  Joe  — 
Ferguson !  oh,  knew  it  was  ! " 

"  Monsoon,  my  hearty,  how  goes  it  ?  —  only  just  arrived, 
I  see.  Delighted  to  meet  you  out  here  once  more.  Why, 
we  've  been  as  dull  as  a  veteran  battalion  without  you. 
These  your  friends  ?  Pray  present  me."  The  ceremony  of 
introduction  over,  the  major  invited  Ferguson  to  join  our 
party  at  supper.  "No,  not  to-night.  Major,"  said  he,  "you 
must  be  my  guests  this  evening.  My  quarters  are  not  five 
minutes'  walk  from  this ;  I  shall  not  promise  you  very 
luxurious  fare." 

"  A  carbonade  with  olives,  a  roast  duck,  a  bowl  of  bishop, 
and,  if  you  will,  a  few  bottles  of  Burgundy,"  said  the  major; 
"  don't  put  yourself  out  for  us,  —  soldier's  fare,  eh  ?  " 

I  could  not  help  smiling  at  the  naive  notion  of  simplicity 
so  cunningly  suggested  by  old  Monsoon.  As  I  followed  the 
party  through  the  streets,  my  step  was  light,  my  heart  not 


THE   LANDING.  303 

less  so;  for  what  sensations  are  more  delightful  than  those 
of  landing  after  a  voyage  ?  The  escape  from  the  durance  vile 
of  shipboard,  with  its  monotonous  days  and  dreary  nights, 
its  ill-regulated  appointments,  its  cramped  accommodation, 
its  uncertain  duration,  its  eternal  round  of  unchanging 
amusements,  for  the  freedom  of  the  shore,  with  a  land 
breeze,  and  a  firm  footing  to  tread  upon  ;  and  certainly,  not 
least  of  all,  the  sight  of  that  brightest  part  of  creation, 
whose  soft  eyes  and  tight  ankles  are,  perhaps,  the  greatest 
of  all  imaginable  pleasures  to  him  who  has  been  the  dweller 
on  blue  water  for  several  weeks  long. 

"Here  we  are,"  cried  out  Ferguson,  as  we  stopped  at  the 
door  of  a  large  and  handsome  house.  We  follow  up  a  spa- 
cious stair  into  an  ample  room,  sparingly,  but  not  uncom- 
fortably furnished:  plans  of  sieges,  maps  of  the  seat  of 
war,  pistols,  sabres,  and  belts  decorated  the  white  walls, 
and  a  few  books  and  a  stray  army  list  betokened  the  habits 
of  the  occupant. 

While  Ferguson  disappeared  to  make  some  preparations 
for  supper,  Monsoon  commenced  a  congratulation  to  the 
party  upon  the  good  fortune  that  had  befallen  them.  "  Cap- 
ital fellow  is  Joe ;  never  without  something  good,  and  a 
rare  one  to  pass  the  bottle.  Oh,  here  he  comes.  Be  alive 
there.  Sparks,  take  a  corner  of  the  cloth ;  how  deliciously 
juicy  that  ham  looks.  Pass  the  Madeira  down  there ;  what 's 
under  that  cover,  —  stewed  kidneys  ?  "  While  Monsoon 
went  on  thus  we  took  our  places  at  the  table,  and  set  to  with 
an  appetite  which  only  a  newly-landed  traveller  ever  knows. 

"  Another  spoonful  of  the  gravy  ?  Thank  you.  And  so 
they  say  we  've  not  been  faring  over  well  latterly  ?  "  said 
the  major. 

"  Not  a  word  of  truth  in  the  report.  Our  people  have  not 
been  engaged.  The  only  thing  lately  was  a  smart  brush 
we  had  at  the  Tamega.  Poor  Patrick,  a  countryman  of 
ours,  and  myself  were  serving  with  the  Portuguese  bri- 
gade, when  Laborde  drove  us  back  upon  the  town  and  actu- 
ally routed  us.  The  Portuguese  general,  caring  little  for 
anything  save  his  own  safety,  was  making  at  once  for  the 
mountains  when  Patrick  called  upon  his  battalion  to  face 
about  and  charge ;  and  nobly  they  did  it,  too.     Down  they 


304  CHARLES   O'lM ALLEY. 

came  upon  tlie  advancing  masses  of  the  French,  and  liter- 
ally hurled  them  back  upon  the  main  body.  The  other 
regiments,  seeing  this  gallant  stand,  wheeled  about  and 
poured  in  a  volley,  and  then,  fixing  bayonets,  stormed  a 
little  mount  beside  the  hedge,  which  commanded  the  whole 
suburb  of  Villa  Eeal.  The  French,  who  soon  recovered 
their  order,  now  prepared  for  a  second  attack,  and  came 
on  in  two  dense  columns,  when  Patrick,  who  had  little 
confidence  in  the  steadiness  of  his  people  for  any  length- 
ened resistance,  resolved  upon  once  more  charging  with  the 
bayonet.  The  order  was  scarcely  given  when  the  French 
were  upon  us,  their  flank  defended  by  some  of  La  Houssaye's 
heavy  dragoons.  For  an  instant  the  conflict  was  doubtful, 
until  poor  Patrick  fell  mortally  wounded  upon  the  parapet ; 
when  the  men,  no  longer  hearing  his  bold  cheer,  nor  seeing 
his  noble  figure  in  the  advance,  turned  and  fled,  pell-mell, 
back  upon  the  town.  As  for  me,  blocked  up  amidst  the  mass, 
I  was  cut  down  from  the  shoulder  to  the  elbow  by  a  young 
fellow  of  about  sixteen,  who  galloped  about  like  a  schoolboy 
on  a  holiday.  The  wound  was  only  dangerous  from  the  loss 
of  blood,  and  so  I  contrived  to  reach  Amacante  without 
much  difficulty ;  from  whence,  with  three  or  four  others,  I 
was  ordered  here  until  fit  for  service." 

'*  But  what  news  from  our  own  head-quarters  ? "  in- 
quired I. 

"All  imaginable  kind  of  rumors  are  afloat.  Some  say 
that  Craddock  is  retiring ;  others,  that  a  part  of  the  army 
is  in  motion  upon  Caldas." 

"Then  we  are  not  going  to  have  a  very  long  sojourn  here, 
after  all,  eh,  Major  ?  Donna  Maria  de  Tormes  will  be  incon- 
solable. By-the-bye,  their  house  is  just  opposite  us.  Have 
you  never  heard  Monsoon  mention  his  friends  there  ?  " 

"  Come,  come,  Joe,  how  can  you  be  so  foolish  ?  " 

"But,  Major,  my  dear  friend,  what  signifies  your  mod- 
esty ?  There  is  not  a  man  in  the  service  does  not  know  it, 
save  those  in  the  last  gazette." 

"  Indeed,  Joe,  I  am  very  angry  with  you." 

"  Well,  then,  by  Jove  !  I  must  tell  it,  myself ;  though, 
faith,  lads,  you  lose  not  a  little  for  want  of  Monsoon's 
tact  in  the  narrative." 


THE  LANDING.  305 

*'  Anything  is  better  that  trusting  to  such  a  biographer," 
cried  the  major ;  *'  so  here  goes  :  — 

"When  I  was  acting  commissary-general  to  the  Portu- 
guese forces  some  few  years  ago,  I  obtained  great  experi- 
ence of  the  habits  of  the  people ;  for  though  naturally  of  an 
unsuspecting  temperament  myself,  I  generally  contrive  to 
pick  out  the  little  foibles  of  my  associates,  even  upon  a 
short  acquaintance.  Now,  my  appointment  pleased  me  very 
much  on  this  score,  —  it  gave  me  little  opportunities  of  ex- 
amining the  world.  'The  greatest  study  of  mankind  is 
man,'  —  Sparks  would  say  woman,  but  no  matter. 

"  Xow,  I  soon  discovered  that  our  ancient  and  very  excel- 
lent allies,  the  Portuguese,  with  a  beautiful  climate,  deli- 
cious wines,  and  very  delightful  wives  and  daughters,  were 
the  most  infernal  rogues  and  scoundrels  ever  met  with. 
'  Make  yourself  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  leading 
features  of  the  natives,'  said  old  Sir  Harry  to  me  in  a 
despatch  from  head-quarters ;  and,  faith,  it  was  not  diffi- 
cult, —  such  open,  palpable,  undisguised  rascals  never  were 
heard  of.  I  thought  I  knew  a  thing  or  two  myself,  when  I 
landed ;  but,  Lord  love  you !  I  was  a  babe,  I  was  an  infant 
in  swaddling  clothes,  compared  with  them ;  and  they  hum- 
bugged me,  —  ay,  me  !  —  till  I  began  to  suspect  that  I  was 
only  walking  in  my  sleep. 

"  '  Why,  IVIonsoon,'  said  the  general,  *  they  told  me  you 
were  a  sharp  fellow,  and  yet  the  people  here  seem  to  work 
round  you  every  day.  This  will  never  do.  You  must 
brighten  up  a  little  or  I  shall  be  obliged  to  send  you 
back.' 

"'General,'  said  I,  'they  used  to  call  me  no  fool  in 
England ;  but,  somehow,  here  — ' 

" '  I  understand,'  said  he  ;  '  you  don't  know  the  Portu- 
guese •,  there 's  but  one  way  with  them,  —  strike  quickly, 
and  strike  home.  Never  give  them  time  for  roguery, — for 
if  they  have  a  moment's  reflection,  they  '11  cheat  the  devil 
himself;  but  when  yoa  see  the  plot  working,  come  slap 
down  and  decide  the  thing  your  own  way.' 

"Well,  now,  there  never  was  anything  so  true  as  this 
advice,  and  for  the  eighteen   months  I  acted  upon   it,  I 
never  knew  it  to  fail. 
VOL.  I.  — 20 


306  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  *  I  want  a  thousand  measures  of  wheat.' 

"  *  Senhor  Excellenza,  the  crops  have  been  miserably- 
deficient,  and ' 

"■ '  Sergeant-major/  I  would  say,  '  these  poor  people  have 
no  corn ;  it 's  a  wine  country,  —  let  them  make  uj)  the  rations 
that  way.' 

"  The  wheat  came  in  that  evening. 

"  '  One  hundred  and  twenty  bullocks  wanted  for  the  re- 
serve.' 

"  '  The  cattle  are  all  up  the  mountains.' 

"'Let  the  alcalde  catch  them  before  night  or  I'll  catch 
him.'' 

"  Lord  bless  you  !  I  had  beef  enough  to  feed  the  Penin- 
sula. And  in  this  way,  while  the  forces  were  eating  short 
allowance  and  half  rations  elsewhere,  our  brigade  were 
plump  as  aldermen. 

"  When  we  lay  in  Andalusia  this  was  easy  enough.  What 
a  country,  to  be  sure !  Such  vineyards,  such  gardens,  such 
delicious  valleys,  waving  with  corn  and  fat  with  olives ; 
actually,  it  seemed  a  kind  of  dispensation  of  Providence  to 
make  war  in.  There  was  everything  you  could  desire  ;  and 
then,  the  people,  like  all  your  wealthy  ones,  were  so  timid, 
and  so  easily  frightened,  you  could  get  what  you  pleased 
out  of  them  by  a  little  terror.  My  scouts  managed  this 
very  well. 

"  '  He  is  coming,'  they  would  say,  '  after  to-morrow.' 

"  '  Madre  de  Dlos  !  ' 

"  '  I  hope  he  won't  burn  the  village.' 

"  '  Questos  Infernales  Ingleses  !  how  wicked  they  are.' 

'■'■ '  You  'd  better  try  what  a  sack  of  moidores  or  doubloons 
might  do  with  him ;  he  may  refuse  them,  but  make  the 
effort.' 

"Ha!"  said  the  major,  with  a  long-drawn  sigh,  "those 
were  pleasant  times ;  alas,  that  they  should  ever  come  to 
an  end  !  Well,  among  the  old  hidalgos  I  met  there  was  one 
Don  Emanuel  Selvio  de  Tormes,  an  awful  okl  miser,  rich  as 
Croesus,  and  suspicious  as  the  arch-iiend  himself.  Lord, 
how  I  melted  him  down !  I  quartered  two  squadrons  of 
horse  and  a  troop  of  flying  artillery  upon  him.  How  the 
fellows  did  eat !     Such  a  consumption  of  wines  was  never 


THE  LAXDING.  307 

heard  of ;  and  as  they  began  to  slacken  a  little,  I  took  care 
to  replace  them  by  fresh  arrivals,  —  fellows  from  the  moun- 
tains, cagadores  they  call  them.  At  last,  my  friend  Don 
Emanuel  could  stand  it  no  longer,  and  he  sent  me  a  diplo- 
matic envoy  to  negotiate  terms,  which,  upon  the  whole, 
I  must  say,  were  fair  enough  ;  and  in  a  few  days  after, 
the  cagadores  were  withdrawn,  and  I  took  up  my  quarters 
at  the  chateau.  I  have  had  various  chances  and  changes  in 
this  wicked  world,  but  I  am  free  to  confess  that  I  never 
passed  a  more  agreeable  time  than  the  seven  weeks  I  spent 
there.  Don  Emanuel,  when  properly  managed,  became  a 
very  pleasant  little  fellow ;  Donna  Maria,  his  wife,  was 
a  sweet  creature.  You  need  not  be  winking  that  way. 
Upon  my  life  she  was :  rather  fat,  to  be  sure,  and  her  age 
something  verging  upon  the  fifties;  but  she  had  such  eyes, 
black  as  sloes,  and  luscious  as  ripe  grapes ;  and  she  was 
always  smiling  and  ogling,  and  looking  so  sweet.  Con- 
found me,  if  1  think  she  was  n't  the  most  enchanting  being 
in  this  world,  with  about  ten  thousand  pounds'  worth  of 
jewels  upon  hei  lingers  and  in  hei  ears.  I  have  her  before 
me  at  this  Instant,  as  she  used  to  sit  in  the  little  arbor  in 
the  garden,  with  a  Manilla  cigar  in  her  mouth,  and  a  little 
brandy-and-water  —  qidte  weak,  you  know — beside  her. 

"  '  Ah,  General,'  she  used  to  say  —  she  always  called  me 
general  —  'what  a  glorious  career  yours  is!  A  soldier  is 
indeed  a  man.' 

''Then  she  would  look  at  poor  Emanuel,  who  used  to 
sit  in  a  corner,  holding  his  hand  to  his  face,  for  hours, 
calculating  interest  and  cent  per  cent,  till  he  fell  asleep. 

"oSTow,  he  labored  under  a  very  singular  malady,  —  not 
that  1  ever  knew  it  at  the  time,  —  a  kind  of  luxation  of  the 
lower  jaw,  which,  when  it  came  on,  happened  somehow  to 
press  upon  some  vital  nerve  or  other,  and  left  him  perfectly 
paralyzed  till  it  was  restored  to  its  proper  place.  In  fact, 
during  the  time  the  agony  lasted,  he  was  like  one  in  a 
trance ;  for  though  he  could  see  and  hear,  he  could  neither 
speak  nor  move,  and  looked  as  if  he  had  done  with  both  for 
many  a  day  to  come. 

"  Well,  as  I  was  saying,  I  knew  nothing  of  all  this  till  a 
slight  circumstance  made  it  known  to  me.     I  was  seated 


308  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

one  eveumg  in  the  little  arbor  I  mentioned,  with  Donna 
Maria.  There  was  a  little  table  before  us  covered  with 
wines  and  fruits,  a  dish  of  olives,  some  Castile  oranges,  and 
a  fresh  pine.  I  remember  it  well :  my  eye  roved  over  the 
little  dessert  set  out  in  old-fashioned,  rich  silver  dishes, 
then  turned  towards  the  lady  herself,  with  rings  and 
brooches,  earrings  and  chains  enough  to  reward  one  for 
sacking  a  town ;  and  I  said  to  myself,  '  jMonsoon,  Monsoon, 
this  is  better  than  long  marches  in  the  Pyrenees,  with  a 
cork-tree  for  a  bed-curtain,  and  wet  grass  for  a  mattress. 
How  pleasantly  one  might  jog  on  in  this  world  with  this 
little  country-house  for  his  abode,  and  Donna  Maria  for  a 
companion ! ' 

"  I  tasted  the  port ;  it  was  delicious.  Now,  I  knew  very 
little  Portuguese,  but  I  made  some  effort  to  ask  if  there  was 
much  of  it  in  the  cellar. 

"  She  smiled,  and  said,  '  Oh,  yes.' 

" '  What  a  luxurious  life  one  might  lead  here  ! '  thought 
I;  'and  after  all,  perhaps  Providence  might  remove  Don 
Emanuel.' 

"  I  finished  the  bottle  as  I  thus  meditated.  The  next 
was,  if  possible,  more  crusty. 

" '  This  is  a  delicious  retreat,'  said  I,  soliloquizing. 

"  Donna  Maria  seemed  to  know  what  was  passing  in  my 
mind,  for  she  smiled,  too. 

" '  Yes,'  said  I,  in  broken  Portuguese,  '  one  ought  to  be 
very  happy  here,  Donna  Maria.' 

"  She  blushed,  and  I  continued  ;  — 

"'What  can  one  want  for  more  in  this  life?  All  the 
charms  that  rendered  Paradise  what  it  was '  —  I  took  her 
hand  here  — '  and  made  Adam  blessed.' 

" '  Ah,  General ! '  said  she,  with  a  sigh,  '  you  are  such  a 
flatterer.' 

"'Who  could  flatter,'  said  I,  with  enthusiasm,  'when 
there  are  not  words  enough  to  express  what  he  feels  ? ' 
This  was  true,  for  my  Portuguese  was  fast  failing  me, 
'But  if  I  ever  was  happy,  it  is  now.' 

"I  took  another  pull  at  the  port. 

"'If  I  only  thought,'  said  I,  'that  my  presence  here 
was  not  thought  unwelcome  — ' 


THE  LANDING. 


309 


"Tie,  General,'  said  she,  'how  could  you  say  such  a 
thing  ? ' 

" '  If  I  only  thought  I  was  not  hated,'  said  I,  tremblingly. 

" '  Oh ! '  said  she,  again. 

"  *  Despised.' 

« ' Oh ! ' 

" '  Loathed.' 

"She  pressed  my  hand,  I  kissed  hers;  she  hurriedly 
snatched  it  from  me,  and  pointed  towards  a  lime-tree  near. 


beneath  which,  in  the  cool  enjoyment  of  his  cigar,  sat  the 
spare  and  detested  figure  of  Don  Emanuel. 

"  '  Yes,'  thought  I, '  there  he  is,  —  the  only  bar  to  my  good 
fortune ;  were  it  not  for  him,  I  should  not  be  long  before  I 
became  possessor  of  this  excellent  old  chateau,  with  a  most 
indiscretionary  power  over  the  cellar.  Don  INIauricius  Mon- 
soon would  speedily  assume  his  place  among  the  grandees 
of  Portugal.' 

'*I  know  not  how  long  my  revery  lasted,  nor,  indeed, 
how  the  evening  passed ;  but  I  remember  well  the  moon 
was  up,  and  a  sky,  bright  with  a  thousand  stars  was  shin- 
ing, as  I  sat  beside  the  fair  Donna  Maria,  endeavoring,  with 


310  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

such  Portuguese  as  it  had  pleased  fate  to  bestow  on  me,  to 
instruct  her  touching  my  warlilie  services  and  deeds  of  arms. 
The  fourtli  bottle  of  port  was  ebbing  beneath  my  eloquence, 
as  responsively  her  heart  beat,  when  I  heard  a  slight  rustle 
in  the  branches  near.  I  looked,  and,  Heavens,  what  a  sight 
did  I  behold  !  There  was  little  Don  Emanuel  stretched 
apon  the  grass  with  his  mouth  wide  open,  his  face  pale  as 
death,  his  arms  stretched  out  at  either  side,  and  his  legs 
stiffened  straight  out.  I  ran  over  and  asked  if  he  were 
ill,  but  no  answer  came.  I  lifted  up  an  arm,  but  it  fell 
heavily  upon  the  ground  as  I  let  it  go ;  the  leg  did  likewise. 
I  touched  his  nose ;  it  was  cold. 

" '  Hollo,'  thought  I,  '  is  it  so  ?  This  comes  of  mixing 
water  with  your  sherry.     I  saw  where  it  would  end.' 

"  Now,  upon  my  life  !  I  felt  sorry  for  the  little  felloAV ; 
but  somehow,  one  gets  so  familiarized  with  this  sort  of 
thing  in  a  campaign  that  one  only  half  feels  in  a  case 
like  this. 

" '  Yes/  said  I,  '  man  is  but  grass  ;  but  I  for  one  must 
make  hay  when  the  sun  shines.  Now  for  the  Donna  Maria,' 
—  for  the  poor  thing  was  asleep  in  the  arbor  all  this  while. 

"  '  Donna,'  said  I,  shaking  her  by  the  elbow,  —  *  Donna, 
don't  be  shocked  at  what  I  'm  going  to  say.' 

" '  Ah,  General,'  said  she,  with  a  sigh,  '  say  no  more  ;  I 
must  not  listen  to  you.' 

"  '  You  don't  know  that,'  said  I,  with  a  knowing  look,  — 
'you  don't  know  that.' 

"  '  Why,  what  can  you  mean  ?  ' 

"  '  The  little  fellow  is  done  for.'  For  tho  port  was  work- 
ing strong  now,  and  destroyed  all  my  fine  sensibility.  '  Yes, 
Donna,'  said  I,  '  you  are  free,'  —  here  I  threw  myself  upon 
my  knees,  —  '  free  to  make  me  the  happiest  of  commissaries 
and  the  jolliest  grandee  of  Portugal  that  ever  — ' 

"  '  But  Don  Emamiel  ?  ' 

" '  Eun  out,  dry,  empty,'  inverting  a  finished  decanter  to 
typify  my  words  as  I  spoke. 

"  '  He  is  not  dead  ? '  said  she,  with  a  scream. 

"  '  Even  so,'  said  I,  with  a  hiccough  !  '  ordered  for  service 
in  a  better  world,  where  there  are  neither  inspections  nor 
arrears.' 


THE   LANDING.  311 

"  Before  the  words  were  well  out,  she  sprang  from  the 
bench  and  rushed  over  to  the  spot  where  the  little  don 
lay.  What  she  said  or  did  I  know  not,  but  the  next  mo- 
ment he  sat  bolt  upright  on  the  grass,  and  as  he  held  his 
jaw  with  one  hand  and  supported  himself  on  the  other, 
vented  such  a  torrent  of  abuse  and  insult  at  me,  that,  for 
want  of  Portuguese  enough  to  reply,  I  rejoined  in  English, 
in  which  I  swore  pretty  roundly  for  five  minutes.  Mean- 
while the  donna  had  summoned  the  servants,  who  removed 
Don  Emanuel  to  the  house,  where  on  my  return  I  found 
my  luggage  displayed  before  the  door,  Avith  a  civil  hint  to 
deploy  in  orderly  time  and  take  ground  elsewhere. 

"  In  a  few  days,  however,  his  anger  cooled  down,  and  I 
received  a  polite  note  from  Donna  Maria,  that  the  don  at 
length  began  to  understand  the  joke,  and  begged  that  I 
would  return  to  the  chateau,  and  that  he  would  expect  me 
at  dinner  the  same  day." 

"  With  which,  of  course,  you  complied  ?  " 

"  Which  of  course  I  did.  Forgive  your  enemies,  my  dear 
boy,  —  it  is  only  Christian-like ;  and  really,  we  lived  very 
happily  ever  after.  The  donna  was  a  mighty  clever  woman, 
and  a  dear  good  soul  besides." 

It  was  late  when  the  major  concluded  his  story ;  so  after 
wishing  Ferguson  a  good-night,  we  took  our  leave,  and  re- 
tired for  the  night  to  our  quarters. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

LISBON. 

The  tramp  of  horses'  feet  and  the  sound  of  voices  be- 
neath my  window  roused  me  from  a  deep  sleep.  I  sprang 
up  and  drew  aside  tlie  curtain.  What  a  strange  confusion 
beset  me  as  I  looked  forth  !  Before  me  lay  a  broad  and 
tranquil  river  whose  opposite  shore,  deeply  wooded  and 
studded  with  villas  and  cottages,  rose  abruptly  from  the 
water's  edge ;  vessels  of  war  lay  tranquilly  in  the  stream, 
their  pennants  trailing  in  the  tide.  The  loud  boom  of  a 
morning  gun  rolled  along  the  surface,  awaking  a  hundred 
echoes  as  it  passed,  and  the  lazy  smoke  rested  for  some 
minutes  on  the  glassy  water  as  it  blended  with  the  thin 
air  of  the  morning. 

"  Where  am  I  ?  "  was  my  first  question  to  myself,  as  I 
continued  to  look  from  side  to  side,  unable* to  collect  my, 
scattered  senses. 

One  word  suflficed  to  recall  me  to  myself,  as  I  heard 
Power's  voice,  from  without,  call  out,  "  Charley !  O'Mal- 
ley,  I  say  !    Come  down  here  !  " 

I  hurriedly  threw  on  my  clothes  and  went  to  the  door. 

"  Well,  Charley,  I  've  been  put  in  harness  rather  sooner 
than  I  expected.  Here 's  old  Douglas  has  been  sitting  up 
all  night  writing  despatches  ;  and  I  must  hasten  on  to 
headquarters  without  a  moment's  delay.  There  's  work  be- 
fore us,  that 's  certain ;  but  when,  where,  and  how,  of  that 
I  know  nothing.  You  may  expect  the  route  every  moment ; 
the  French  are  still  advancing.  Meanwhile  I  have  a  couple 
of  commissions  for  you  to  execute.  Pirst,  here 's  a  packet 
for  Hammersley ;  you  are  sure  to  meet  him  with  the  regi- 
ment in  a  day  or  two.  I  have  some  scruples  about  asking 
you  this ;  but,  confound  it !  you  're  too  sensible  a  fellow  to 
care  —  "  Here  he  hesitated  ;  and  as  I  colored  to  the  eyes, 
for  some  minutes  he  seemed  uncertain  how  to  proceed.    At 


LISBON.  313 

length,  recovering  himself,  he  went  on :  "  Now  for  the  other. 
This  is  a  most  loving  epistle  from  a  poor  devil  of  a  mid- 
shipman, written  last  night  by  a  tallow  candle,  in  the  cock- 
pit, containing  vows  of  eternal  adoration  and  a  lock  of  hair. 
I  promised  faithfully  to  deliver  it  myself ;  for  the  *  Thun- 
derer '  sails  for  Gibraltar  next  tide,  and  he  cannot  go  ashore 
for  an  instant.  However,  as  Sir  Arthur's  billet  may  be  of 
more  importance  than  the  reefer's,  I  must  intrust  its  safe 
keeping  to  your  hands.  Now,  then,  don't  look  so  devilish 
sleepy,  but  seem  to  understand  what  I  am  saying.  This 
is  the  address  :  '  La  Senhora  Inez  da  Silviero,  Rua  Nuova, 
opposite  the  barber's.'  You  '11  not  neglect  it.  So  now,  my 
dear  boy,  till  our  next  meeting,  adios  !  " 

"  Stop  !  For  Heaven's  sake,  not  so  fast,  I  pray  !  Where  's 
the  street  ?  " 

"  The  Rua  Nuova.  Remember  Figaro,  my  boy.  Cinque 
perruche.^^ 

"  But  Avhat  am  I  to  do  ?  " 

"  To  do !  What  a  question !  Anything ;  everything.  Be 
a  good  diplomate.  Speak  of  the  torturing  agony  of  the  lover, 
for  which  I  can  vouch.  The  boy  is  only  fifteen.  Swear  that 
he  is  to  return  in  a  month,  first  lieutenant  of  the  '  Thunder 
Bomb,'  with  intentions  that  even  Madame  Dalrymple  would 
approve." 

"  What  nonsense,"  said  I,  blushing  to  the  eyes. 

"  And  if  that  suffice  not,  I  know  of  but  one  resource." 

"  Which  is  ?  " 

"  Make  love  to  her  yourself.  Ay,  even  so.  Don't  look 
so  confoundedly  vinegar ;  the  girl,  I  hear,  is  a  devilish 
pretty  one,  the  house  pleasant,  and  I  sincerely  wish  I 
could  exchange  duties  with  you,  leaving  you  to  make  your 
bows  to  his  Excellency  the  C.  0.  F.,  and  myself  free  to 
make  mine  to  La  Senhora.  And  now,  push  along,  old 
red  cap." 

So  saying,  he  made  a  significant  cut  of  his  whip  at 
the  Portuguese  guide,  and  in  another  moment  was  out  of 
sight. 

My  first  thought  was  one  of  regret  at  Power's  departure. 
For  some  time  past  we  had  been  inseparable  companions  ; 
and  notwithstanding  the  reckless  and  wild  gayety  of  his 


314  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

conduct,  I  liad  ever  found  him  ready  to  assist  me  in  every 
difficulty,  and  that  with  an  address  and  dexterity  a  more 
calculating  adviser  might  not  have  possessed.  I  was  now 
utterly  alone ;  for  though  Monsoon  and  the  adjutant  were 
still  in  Lisbon,  as  was  also  Sparks,  I  never  could  make 
intimates  of  them. 

I  ate  my  breakfast  with  a  heavy  heart,  my  solitary  posi- 
tion again  suggesting  thoughts  of  home  and  kindred.  Just 
at  this  moment  my  eyes  fell  upon  the  packet  destined  for 
Hammersley;  I  took  it  up  and  weighed  it  in  my  hand. 
"Alas!"  thought  I,  "how  much  of  my  destiny  may  lie 
within  that  envelope !  How  fatally  may  my  after-life  be 
influenced  by  it ! "  It  felt  heavy  as  though  there  was 
something  besides  letters.  True,  too  true  ;  there  was  a 
picture,  Lucy's  portrait !  The  cold  drops  of  perspiration 
stood  upon  my  forehead  as  my  fingers  traced  the  outline 
of  a  mmiature-case  in  the  parcel.  I  became  deadly  weak, 
and  sank,  half-fainting,  upon  a  chair.  And  such  is  the 
end  of  my  first  dream  of  happiness !  How  have  I  duped, 
how  have  I  deceived  myself  !  For,  alas,  though  Lucy  had 
never  responded  to  my  proffered  vows  of  affection,  yet  had 
I  ever  nurtured  in  my  heart  a  secret  hope  that  I  was  not 
altogether  uncared  for.  Every  look  she  had  given  me, 
every  word  she  had  spoken,  the  tone  of  her  voice,  her  step, 
her  every  gesture,  were  before  me,  all  confirming  my  delu- 
sion, and  yet,  —  I  could  bear  no  more,  and  burst  into 
tears. 

The  loud  call  of  a  cavalry  trumpet  aroused  me. 

How  long  I  had  passed  in  this  state  of  despondency  I 
knew  not ;  but  it  was  long  past  noon  when  I  rallied  myself. 
My  charger  was  already  awaiting  me  ;  and  a  second  blast 
of  the  trumpet  told  that  the  inspection  in  the  Plaza  was 
about  to  commence. 

As  I  continued  to  dress,  I  gradually  rallied  from  my 
depressing  thoughts ;  and  ere  I  belted  my  sabretasche,  the 
current  of  my  ideas  had  turned  from  their  train  of  sadness 
to  one  of  hardihood  and  daring.  Lucy  Dashwood  had 
treated  me  like  a  wilful  schoolboy.  Mayhap,  I  may  prove 
myself  as  gallant  a  soldier  as  even  him  she  has  preferred 
before  me. 


LISBON.  315 

A  third  sound  of  the  trumpet  cut  short  my  reflections, 
and  I  sprang  into  the  saddle,  and  hastened  towards  the 
Plaza.  As  I  dashed  along  the  streets,  my  horse,  maddened 
with  the  impulse  that  stirred  my  own  heart,  curvetted  and 
plunged  unceasingly.  As  I  reached  the  Pla.za,  the  crowd 
became  dense,  and  I  was  obliged  to  pull  up.  The  sound  of 
the  music,  the  parade,  the  tramp  of  the  infantry,  and  the 
neighing  of  the  horses,  were,  however,  too  much  for  my 
mettlesome  steed,  and  he  became  nearly  unmanageable ; 
he  plunged  fearfully,  and  twice  reared  as  though  he  would 
have  fallen  back.  As  I  scattered  the  foot  passengers  right 
and  left  with  terror,  my  eye  fell  upon  one  lovely  girl,  who, 
tearing  herself  from  her  companion,  rushed  wildly  towards 
an 'open  doorway  for  shelter;  suddenly,  however,  changing 
her  intention,  she  came  forward  a  few  paces,  and  then,  as 
if  overcome  by  fear,  stood  stock-still,  her  hands  clasped 
upon  her  bosom,  her  eyes  upturned,  her  features  deadly 
pale,  while  her  knees  seemed  bending  beneath  her.  Never 
did  I  behold  a  more  beautiful  object.  Her  dark  hair  had 
fallen  loose  upon  her  shoulder,  and  she  stood  the  very 
ideal  of  the  "Madonna  Supplicating."  My  glance  was 
short  as  a  lightning  flash ;  for  the  same  instant  my  horse 
swerved,  and  dashed  forward  right  at  the  place  where  she 
was  standing.  One  terrific  cry  rose  from  the  crowd,  who 
saw  her  danger.  Beside  her  stood  a  muleteer  who  had 
drawn  up  his  mule  and  cart  close  beside  the  footway  for 
safety ;  she  made  one  effort  to  reach  it,  but  her  outstretched 
arms  alone  moved,  and  paralyzed  by  terror,  she  sank  motion- 
less upon  the  pavement.  There  was  but  one  course  open  to 
me  now ;  so  collecting  myself  for  the  effort,  I  threw  my 
horse  upon  his  haunches,  and  then,  dashing  the  spurs  into 
his  flanks,  breasted  him  at  the  mule  cart.  With  one  spring 
he  rose,  and  cleared  it  at  a  bound,  while  the  very  air  rang 
with  the  acclamations  of  the  multitude,  and  a  thousand 
bravos  saluted  me  as  I  alighted  upon  the  opposite  side. 

"Well  done,  O'Malley  !"  sang  out  the  little  adjutant,  as 
I  flew  past  and  pulled  up  in  the  middle  of  the  Plaza. 

"  Something  devilish  like  Galway  in  that  leap,"  said  a 
very  musical  voice  beside  me ;  and  at  the  same  instant  a 
tall,  soldier-like  man,  in  an  undress  dragoon  frock,  touched 


316  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

his  cap,  and  said,  "  A  14th  man,  I  perceive,  sir.  May  I 
introduce  myself?     Major  O'Shaughnessy." 

I  bowed,  and  shook  the  major's  proffered  hand,  while  he 
continued,  — 

"  Old  Monsoon  mentioned  your  name  to  us  this  morning. 
You  came  out  together,  if  I  mistake  not  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  but  somehow,  I  've  missed  the  major  since  my 
landing." 

"  Oh,  you  '11  see  him  presently ;  he  '11  be  on  parade.  By- 
the-bye,  he  wishes  particularly  to  meet  you.  We  dine  to- 
day at  the  '  Quai  de  Soderi,'  and  if  you  're  not  engaged  — ■ 
Yes,  this  is  the  person,"  said  he,  turning  at  the  moment 
towards  a  servant,  who,  with  a  card  in  his  hand,  seemed  to 
search  for  some  one  in  the  crowd. 

The  man  approached,  and  handed  it  to  me. 

"What  can  this  mean?"  said  I.  "Don  Emanuel  de 
Blacas  y  Silviero,  Eua  Nuova." 

"  Why,  that 's  the  great  Portuguese  contractor,  the  in- 
tendant  of  half  the  army,  the  richest  fellow  in  Lisbon. 
Have  you  known  him  long  ?  " 

"  Never  heard  of  him  till  now." 

"  By  Jove,  you  're  in  luck  !  No  man  gives  such  dinners  ; 
he  has  such  a  cellar  !  I  '11  wager  a  fifty  it  was  his  daughter 
you  took  in  the  flying  leap  a  while  ago.  I  hear  she  is  a 
beautiful  creature." 

"  Yes,"  thought  I,  "  that  must  be  it ;  and  yet,  strange 
enough,  I  think  the  name  and  address  are  familiar  to  me." 

"  Ten  to  one,  you  've  heard  Monsoon  speak  of  liim ;  he 's 
most  intimate  there.     But  here  comes  the  major." 

And  as  he  spoke,  the  illustrious  commissary  came  for- 
ward holding  a  vast  bundle  of  papers  in  one  hand,  and  his 
snuff-box  in  the  other,  followed  by  a  long  string  of  clerks, 
contractors,  assistant-surgeons,  paymasters,  etc.,  all  eagerly 
pressing  forward  to  be  heard. 

"  It 's  quite  impossible ;  I  can't  do  it  to-day.  Victualling 
and  physicking  are  very  good  things,  but  must  be  done  in 
season.  I  have  been  up  all  night  at  the  accounts,  —  have  n't 
I,  O'Malley  ? "  here  he  winked  at  me  most  significant!}^ ; 
"and  then  I  have  the  forage  and  stoppage  fund  to  look 
through  ['we  dine  at  six,  sharp,'  said  he,  sotto  voce],  which 


LISBON.  317 

will  leave  me  without  one  minute  unoccupied  for  the  next 
twenty-four  hours.  Look  to  your  toggery  this  evening ;  I  've 
something  in  my  eye  for  you,  O'Malley." 

''  Officers  unattached  to  their  several  corps  will  fall  into 
the  middle  of  the  Plaza,"  said  a  deep  voice  among  the  crowd ; 
and  in  obedience  to  the  order  I  rode  forward  and  placed 
myself  with  a  number  of  others,  apparently  newly  joined,  in 
the  open  square.  A  short,  gray-haired  old  colonel,  with  a 
dark,  eagle  look,  proceeded  to  inspect  us,  reading  from  a 
paper  as  he  came  along, — 

"j\Ir.  Hepton,  6th  Foot;  comrhission  bearing  date  11th 
January ;  drilled,  proceed  to  Ovar,  and  join  his  regiment. 

"  Mr.  Gronow,  Fusilier  Guards,  remains  with  the  depot. 

"Captain  Mortimer,  1st  Dragoons,  appointed  aide-de- 
camp to  the  general  commanding  the  cavalry  brigade. 

"  Mr.  Sparks,  —  where  is  Mr.  Sparks  ?  Mr.  Sparks  absent 
from  parade  ;  make  a  note  of  it. 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  14th  Light  Dragoons.  Mr.  O'Malley,  — 
oh,  I  remember !  I  have  received  a  letter  from  Sir  George 
Da^hwood  concerning  you.  You  will  hold  yourself  in  readi- 
ness to  march.  Your  friends  desire  that  before  you  may 
obtain  any  staff  appointment,  you  should  have  the  opportu- 
nity  of  seeing  some  service.  Am  I  to  understand  such  is 
your  wish  ?  " 

"  IMost  certainly." 

"May  I  have  the  pleasure  of  your  company  at  dinner 
to-day  ?  " 

"  I  regret  that  I  have  already  accepted  an  invitation  to 
dine  with  Major  Monsoon." 

"  With  Major  Monsoon  ?  Ah,  indeed !  Perhaps  it  might 
be  as  well  I  should  mention,  —  but  no  matter.  I  wish  you 
good-morning." 

So  saying,  the  little  colonel  rode  off,  leaving  me  to  sup- 
pose that  my  dinner  engagement  had  not  raised  me  in  his 
estimation,  though  why,  I  could  not  exactly  determine. 


CHAPTER  XXXVITI. 

THE   KUA   NUOVA. 

Our  dinner  was  a  long  and  uninteresting  one,  and  as  I 
found  that  the  major  was  likely  to  prefer  his  seat  as  chair- 
man of  the  party  to  the  seductions  of  ladies'  society,  I  took 
the  first  opportunity  of  escaping  and  left  the  room. 

It  was  a  rich  moonlight  night  as  I  found  myself  in  the 
street.  My  way,  which  led  along  the  banks  of  the  Tagus, 
was  almost  as  light  as  in  daytime,  and  crowded  with  walking 
parties,  who  sauntered  carelessly  along  in  the  enjoyment  of 
the  cool,  refreshing  night-air.  On  inquiring,  I  discovered 
that  the  Rua  Nuova  was  at  the  extremity  of  the  city ;  but 
as  the  road  led  along  by  the  river  I  did  not  regret  the  dis- 
tance, but  walked  on  with  increasing  pleasure  at  the  charms 
of  so  heavenly  a  climate  and  country. 

After  three  quarters  of  an  hour's  walk,  the  streets  became 
by  degrees  less  and  less  crowded.  A  solitary  party  passed 
me  now  and  then ;  the  buzz  of  distant  voices  succeeded  to 
the  gay  laughter  and  merry  tones  of  the  passing  groups,  and 
at  length  my  own  footsteps  alone  awoke  the  echoes  along 
the  deserted  pathway.  I  stopped  every  now  and  then  to 
gaze  upon  the  tranquil  river,  whose  eddies  were  circling  in 
the  pale  silver  of  the  moonlight.  I  listened  with  attentive 
ear  as  the  night  breeze  wafted  to  me  the  far-off  sounds  of 
a  guitar,  and  the  deep  tones  of  some  lover's  serenade  ; 
while  again  the  tender  warbling  of  the  nightingale  came 
borne  across  the  stream  on  a  wind  rich  with  the  odor  of  the 
orange-tree. 

As  thus  I  lingered  on  my  way  the  time  stole  on,  and  it 
was  near  midnight  ere  I  had  roused  myself  from  the  revery 
surrounding  objects  had  throAvn  about  me.  I  stopped  sud- 
denly, and  for  some  minutes  I  struggled  with  myself  to  dis- 
cover if  T  was  really  awake.  As  I  walked  along,  lost  in  my 
reflections,  I  had  entered  a  little  garden  beside  the  river. 


THE   RUA  NUOVA.  319 

Fragrant  plants  and  lovely  flowers  bloomed  on  every  side ; 
the  orange,  the  camelia,  the  cactus,  and  the  rich  laurel  of 
Portugal  were  blending  their  green  and  golden  hues  around 
me,  while  the  very  air  was  filled  with  delicious  music. 
"  Was  it  a  dream  ?  Could  such  ecstasy  be  real  ?  "  I  asked 
myself,  as  the  rich  notes  swelled  upwards  in  their  strength, 
and  sank  in  soft  cadence  to  tones  of  melting  harmony ;  now 
bursting  forth  in  the  full  force  of  gladness,  the  voices  blended 
together  in  one  stream  of  mellow  music,  and  suddenly  ceas- 
ing, the  soft  but  thrilling  shake  of  a  female  voice  rose  upon 
the  air,  and  in  its  plaintive  beauty  stirred  the  very  heart. 
The  proud  tramp  of  martial  music  succeeded  to  the  low  wail- 
ing cry  of  agony ;  then  came  the  crash  of  battle,  the  clang 
of  steel ;  the  thunder  of  the  fight  rolled  on  in  all  its  majesty, 
increasing  in  its  maddening  excitement  till  it  ended  in  one 
loud  shout  of  victory. 

All  was  still ;  not  a  breath  moved,  not  a  leaf  stirred,  and 
again  was  I  relapsing  into  my  dreamy  scepticism,  when 
again  the  notes  swelled  upwards  in  concert.  But  now  their 
accents  were  changed,  and  in  low,  subdued  tones,  faintly 
and  slowly  uttered,  the  prayer  of  thanksgiving  rose  to 
Heaven  and  spoke  their  gratefulness.  I  almost  fell  upon 
my  knees,  and  already  the  tears  filled  my  eyes  as  I  drank 
in  the  sounds.  My  heart  was  full  to  bursting,  and  even 
now  as  I  write  it  my  pulse  throbs  as  I  remember  the  hymn 
of  the  Abencerrages. 

When  I  rallied  from  my  trance  of  excited  pleasure,  my 
first  thought  was,  where  was  I,  and  how  came  I  there  ? 
Before  I  could  resolve  my  doubts  upon  the  question,  my  at- 
tention was  turned  in  another  direction,  for  close  beside  me 
the  branches  moved  forward,  and  a  pair  of  arms  were  thrown 
around  my  neck,  while  a  delicious  voice  cried  out  in  an 
accent  of  childish  delight,  ''  Trovadof"  At  the  same  in- 
stant a  lovely  head  sank  upon  my  shoulder,  covering  it  with 
tresses  of  long  brown  hair.  The  arms  pressed  me  still 
more  closely,  till  I  felt  her  very  heart  beating  against  my 
side. 

"  Mio  fradre,'''  said  a  soft,  trembling  voice,  as  her  fingers 
played  in  my  hair  and  patted  my  temples. 

What  a  situation  mine  !    I  well  knew  that  some  mistaken 


320  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

identity  had  been  the  cause,  but  still  I  could  not  repress  my 
inclination  to  return  the  embrace,  as  I  pressed  my  lips  upon 
the  fair  forehead  that  leaned  upon  my  bosom ;  at  the  same 
moment  she  threw  back  her  head,  as  if  to  look  me  more 
fully  in  the  face.  One  glance  sufficed ;  blushing  deeply  over 
her  cheeks  and  neck,  she  sprang  from  my  arms,  and  uttering 
a  faint  cry,  staggered  against  a  tree.  In  an  instant  I  saw 
it  was  the  lovely  girl  I  had  met  in  the  morning ;  and  with- 
out losing  a  second  I  poured  out  apologies  for  my  intrusion 
with  all  the  eloquence  I  was  master  of,  till  she  suddenly 
interrupted  me  by  asking  if  I  spoke  French.  Scarcely  had 
I  recommenced  my  excuses  in  that  language,  when  a  third 
party  appeared  upon  the  stage.  This  was  a  short,  elderly 
man,  in  a  green  uniform,  with  several  decorations  upon  his 
breast,  and  a  cocked  hat  with  a  most  flowing  plume  m  his 
right  hand. 

"  May  I  beg  to  know  whom  I  have  the  honor  of  receiving?  " 
inquired  he,  in  very  excellent  English,  as  he  advanced  with 
a  look  of  very  ceremonious  and  distant  politeness. 

I  immediately  explained  that,  presuming  upon  the  card 
which  his  servant  had  presented  me,  I  had  resolved  on  pay- 
ing my  respects  when  a  mistake  had  led  me  accidentally 
into  his  garden. 

My  apologies  had  not  come  to  an  end  when  he  folded  me 
in  his  arms  and  overwhelmed  me  with  thanks,  at  the  same 
time  saying  a  few  words  in  Portuguese  to  his  daughter.  She 
stooped  down,  and  taking  my  hand  gently  within  her  own, 
touched  it  with  her  lips. 

This  piece  of  touching  courtesy,  —  which  I  afterwards 
found  meant  little  or  nothing,  —  affected  me  deeply  at  the 
time,  and  I  felt  the  blood  rush  to  my  face  and  forehead,  half 
in  pride,  half  in  a  sense  of  shame.  My  confusion  was,  how- 
ever, of  short  duration ;  for  taking  my  arm,  the  old  gentle- 
man led  me  along  a  few  paces,  and  turning  round  a  small 
clump  of  olives,  entered  a  little  summer-house.  Here  a 
considerable  party  were  assembled,  which  for  their  pictur- 
esque effect  could  scarcely  have  been  better  managed  on  the 
stage. 

Beneath  the  mild  lustre  of  a  large  lamp  of  stained  glass, 
half  hid  in  the  overhanging  boughs,  was  spread  a  table  cov- 


THE  RUA  NUOVA.  321 

ered  -with  vessels  of  gold  and  silver  plate  of  gorgeous  rich- 
ness ;  drinking  cups  and  goblets  of  antique  pattern  slione 
among  cups  of  Sevres  china  or  Venetian  glass  ;  delicious 
fruit,  looking  a  thousand  times  more  tempting  for  being 
contained  in  baskets  of  silver  foliage,  peeped  from  amidst 
a  profusion  of  fresh  flowers,  whose  odor  was  continually 
shed  around  by  a  slight  jet  d'eau  that  played  among  tlie 
leaves.  Around  upon  the  grass,  seated  upon  cushions  or 
reclining  on  Genoa  carpets,  were  several  beautiful  girls  in 
most  becoming  costumes,  their  dark  locks  and  darker  eyes 
speaking  of  "  the  soft  South,"  while  their  expressive  gestures 
and  animated  looks  betokened  a  race  whose  temperament  is 
glowing  as  their  clime.  There  were  several  men  also,  the 
greater  number  of  Avhom  appeared  in  uniform,  ■ —  bronzed, 
soldier-like  fellows,  who  had  the  jaunty  air  and  easy  car- 
riage of  their  calling, — among  whom  was  one  Englishman, 
or  at  least  so  I  guessed  from  his  wearing  the  uniform  of  a 
heavy  dragoon  regiment. 

"  This  is  my  daughter's  /e^e,"  said  Don  Emanuel,  as  he 
ushered  me  into  the  assembly,  —  "  her  birthday ;  a  sad  day 
it  might  have  been  for  us  had  it  not  been  for  your  courage 
and  forethought."  So  saying,  he  commenced  a  recital  of  my 
adventure  to  the  bystanders,  who  overwhelmed  me  with 
civil  speeches  and  a  shower  of  soft  looks  that  completed  the 
fascination  of  the  fairy  scene.  JMeanwhile  the  fair  Inez  had 
made  room  for  me  beside  her,  and  I  found  myself  at  once 
the  lion  of  the  party,  each  vying  with  her  neighbor  who 
should  show  me  most  attention.  La  Senhora  herself  directing 
her  conversation  exclusively  to  me,  —  a  circumstance  which, 
considering  the  awkwardness  of  our  first  meeting,  I  felt  no 
small  surprise  at,  and  which  led  me,  somewhat  maliciously  I 
confess,  to  make  a  half  allusion  to  it,  feeling  some  interest 
in  ascertaining  for  whom  the  flattering  reception  was  really 
intended. 

"I  thought  you  were  Charles,"  said  she,  blushing,  in 
answer  to  my  question. 

"  And  you  are  right,"  said  I ;  "  I  am  Charles." 

"Nay,  but  I  meant  my  Charles." 

There  was  something  of  touching  softness  in  the  tone  of 
these  few  words  that  made  me  half  wish  I  were  her  Charles. 
VOL.  I,  —  21 


322  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

Whether  my  look  evinced  as  much  or  not,  I  cannot  tell,  but 
she  speedily  added,  — 

"  He  is  my  brother ;  he  is  a  captain  in  the  cagadores,  and 
I  expected  him  here  this  evening.  Some  one  saw  a  figure 
pass  the  gate  and  conceal  himself  in  the  trees,  and  I  was 
sure  it  was  he." 

"  What  a  disappointment ! "  said  I. 

"  Yes ;  was  it  not  ?  "  said  she,  hurriedly ;  and  then,  as  if 
remembering  how  ungracious  was  the  speech,  she  blushed 
more  deeply  and  hung  down  her  head. 

Just  at  this  moment,  as  I  looked  up,  I  caught  the  eye  of 
the  English  officer  fixed  steadfastly  upon  me.  He  was  a 
tall,  fine-looking  fellow,  of  about  two  or  three  and  thirty,  , 
with  marked  and  handsome  features,  which,  however,  con- 
veyed an  expression  of  something  sneering  and  sinister  that 
struck  me  the  moment  I  saw  him.  His  glass  was  fixed  in 
his  eye,  and  I  perceived  that  he  regarded  us  both  with  a  look 
of  no  common  interest.  My  attention  did  not,  however, 
dwell  long  upon  the  circumstance,  for  Don  Emanuel,  coming 
behind  my  shoulder,  asked  me  if  I  would  not  take  out  his 
daughter  in  the  bolero  they  were  just  forming. 

To  my  shame  I  was  obliged  to  confess  that  I  had  not  even 
seen  the  dance ;  and  while  I  continued  to  express  my  resolve 
to  correct  the  errors  of  my  education,  the  Englishman  came 
up  and  asked  the  senhora  to  be  his  partner.  This  put  the 
very  keystone  upon  my  annoyance,  and  I  half  turned  angrily 
away  from  the  spot,  when  I  heard  her  decline  his  invitation, 
and  avow  her  determination  not  to  dance. 

There  was  something  which  pleased  me  so  much  at  this 
refusal,  that  I  could  not  help  turning  upon  her  a  look  of 
most  grateful  acknowledgment ;  but  as  I  did  so,  I  once  more 
encountered  the  gaze  of  the  Englishman,  whose  knitted 
brows  and  compressed  lips  were  bent  upon  me  in  a  man- 
ner there  was  no  mistaking.  This  was  neither  the  fitting 
time  nor  place  to  seek  any  explanation  of  the  circumstance, 
so,  wisely  resolving  to  wait  a  better  occasion,  I  turned  away 
and  resumed  my  attentions  towards  my  fair  companion. 

"  Then  you  don't  care  for  the  bolero  ?  "  said  I,  as  she 
reseated  herself  upon  the  grass. 

"  Oh,  I  delight  in  it ! "  said  she,  enthusiastically. 


THE  RUA  NUOVA.  323 

"  But  you  refused  to  dance  ?  " 

She  hesitated,  bhished,  tried  to  mutter  something,  and 
was  silent. 

"  I  had  determined  to  learn  it,"  said  I,  half  jestingly ; 
"  but  if  you  will  not  dance  with  me  —  " 

''  Yes  ;  that  I  will,  —  indeed  I  will." 

"But  you  declined  my  countryman.  Is  it  because  he  is 
inexpert  ?  " 

The  senhora  hesitated,  looked  confused  for  some  minutes  ; 
at  length,  coloring  slightly,  she  said  :  "  I  have  already  made 
one  rude  speech  to  you  this  evening  ;  I  fear  lest  I  should 
make  a  second.    Tell  me,  is  Captain  Trevyllian  your  friend  ?  " 

"  If  you  mean  that  gentleman  yonder,  I  never  saw  him 
before." 

"  Nor  heard  of  him  ?  " 

"  Nor  that  either.     We  are  total  strangers  to  each  other." 

"Well,  then,  I  may  confess  it.  I  do  not  like  him.  ]\ry 
father  prefers  him  to  any  one  else,  invites  him  here  daily, 
and,  in  fact,  instals  him  as  his  first  favorite.  But  still,  I 
cannot  like  him ;  and  yet  I  have  done  my  best  to  do  so." 

"  Indeed  !  "  said  I,  pointedly.  "  What  are  his  chief  de- 
merits ?     Is  he  not  agreeable  ?     Is  he  not  clever  ?  " 

"Oh,  on  the  contrary,  most  agreeable,  fascinating,  I 
should  say,  in  conversation ;  has  travelled,  seen  a  great 
deal  of  the  world,  is  very  accomplished,  and  has  distin- 
gxiished  himself  on  several  occasions.  He  wears,  as  you 
see,  a  Portuguese  order." 

"  And  with  all  that  —  " 

"  And  with  all  that,  I  cannot  bear  him.  He  is  a  duellist, 
a  notorious  duellist.  My  brother,  too,  knows  more  of  him, 
and  avoids  him.  But  let  us  not  speak  further.  I  see  his 
eyes  are  again  fixed  on  us  ;  and  somehow,  I  fear  him,  with- 
out well  knowing  wherefore." 

A  movement  among  the  party,  shawls  and  mantillas 
were  sought  for  on  all  sides ;  aud  the  preparations  for 
leave-taking  appeared  general.  Before,  however,  I  had 
time  to  express  my  thanks  for  my  hospitable  reception, 
the  guests  had  assembled  in  a  circle  around  the  senhora, 
and  toasting  her  with  a  parting  bumper,  they  commenced 
in  concert  a  little  Portuguese  song  of  farewell,  each  verse 


324  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

concluding  with  a  good-night,  which,  as  they  separated  and 
held  their  way  homewards,  might  now  and  then  be  heard 
rising  upon  the  breeze  and  wafting  their  last  thoughts  back 
to  her.  The  concluding  verse,  which  struck  me  much,  I 
have  essayed  to  translate.     It  ran  somehow  thus  :  — 

"  The  morning  breezes  chill 
Now  close  our  joyous  scene, 
And  yet  we  linger  still, 

Where  we  've  so  happy  been. 
How  blest  were  it  to  live 

With  hearts  like  ours  so  light, 
And  only  part  to  give 

One  long  and  last  good-night ! 
Good-night!" 

With  many  an  invitation  to  renew  my  visit,  most  kindly 
preferred  by  Don  Emanuel  and  warmly  seconded^ by  his 
daughter,  I,  too,  wished  my  good-uight  and  turned  my 
steps  homeward. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

THE    VILLA. 

The  first  object  which  presented  itself  to  my  eye  the  next 
morning  was  the  midshipman's  packet  intrusted  to  my  care 
by  Power.  I  turned  it  over  to  read  the  address  more  care- 
fully, and  what  was  my  surprise  to  find  that  the  name  was 
that  of  my  fair  friend  Donna  Inez. 

"  This  certainly  thickens  the  plot,"  thought  I.  "  And  so 
I  have  now  fallen  upon  the  real  Simon  Pure,  and  the  reefer 
has  had  the  good  fortune  to  distance  the  dragoon.  Well, 
thus  far,  I  cannot  say  that  I  regret  it.  Now,  however,  for 
the  parade,  and  then  for  the  villa." 

"I  say,  O'Malley,"  cried  out  Monsoon,  as  I  appeared  on 
the  Plaza,  "I  have  accepted  an  invitation  for  you  to-day. 
We  dine  across  the  river.  Be  at  my  quarters  a  little  before 
six,  and  we  '11  go  together." 

I  should  rather  have  declined  the  invitation ;  but  not 
well  knowing  why,  and  having  no  ready  excuse,  acceded, 
and  promised  to  be  punctual. 

"You  were  at  Don  Emanuel's  last  night.  I  heard  of 
you  ! " 

"  Yes  ;  I  spent  a  most  delightful  evening." 

"  That 's  your  ground,  my  boy.  A  million  of  moidores, 
and  such  a  campagna  in  Valencia.  A  better  thing  than  the 
Dalrymple  affair.  Don't  blush.  I  know  it  all.  But  stay ; 
here  they  come." 

As  he  spoke,  the  general  commanding,  with  a  numerous 
staff,  rode  forward.  As  they  passed,  I  recognized  a  face 
which  I  had  certainly  seen  before,  and  in  a  moment  remem- 
bered it  was  that  of  the  dragoon  of  the  evening  before. 
He  passed  quite  close,  and  fixing  his  eyes  steadfastly  on 
me,  evinced  no  sign  of  recognition. 

The  parade  lasted  above  two  hours  ;  and  it  was  with  a 
feeling  of  impatience  I  mounted  a  fresh  horse  to  canter  out 


326  CHARLES  O'JMALLEY. 

to  the  villa.  When  I  arrived,  the  servant  informed  me  that 
Don  Emanuel  Avas  in  the  city,  but  that  the  senhora  was  in 
the  garden,  offering,  at  the  same  time,  to  escort  me.  De- 
clining this  honor,  I  intrusted  my  horse  to  his  keeping  and 
took  my  way  towards  the  arbor  where  last  I  had  seen  her. 

I  had  not  walked  many  paces,  when  the  sound  of  a  guitar 
struck  on  my  ear.  I  listened.  It  was  the  senhora's  voice. 
She  was  singing  a  Venetian  canzonetta  in  a  low,  soft,  war- 
bling tone,  as  one  lost  in  a  revery  ;  as  though  the  music 
Avas  a  mere  accompaniment  to  some  pleasant  thought.  I 
peeped  through  the  dense  leaves,  and  there  she  sat  upon  a 
low  garden  seat,  an  open  book  on  the  rustic  table  before 
her,  beside  her,  embroidery,  which  seemed  only  lately 
abandoned.  As  I  looked,  she  placed  her  guitar  upon  the 
ground  and  began  to  play  with  a  small  spaniel  that  seemed 
to  have  waited  with  impatience  for  some  testimony  of  favor. 
A  moment  more,  and  she  grew  weary  of  this  ;  then,  heaving 
a  long  but  gentle  sigh,  leaned  back  upon  her  chair  and 
seemed  lost  in  thought.  I  now  had  ample  time  to  regard 
her,  and  certainly  never  beheld  anything  more  lovely. 
There  was  a  character  of  classic  beauty,  and  her  brow, 
though  fair  and  ample,  was  still  strongly  marked  upon  the 
temples ;  the  eyes,  being  deep  and  squarely  set,  imparted  a 
look  of  intensity  to  her  features  which  their  own  softness 
subdued ;  while  the  short  upper  lip,  which  trembled  with 
every  passing  thought,  spoke  of  a  nature  tender  and  im- 
pressionable, and  yet  impassioned.  Her  foot  and  ankle 
peeped  from  beneath  her  dark  robe,  and  certainly  nothing 
could  be  more  faultless ;  while  her  hand,  fair  as  marble, 
blue-veined  and  dimpled,  played  amidst  the  long  tresses  of 
her  hair,  that,  as  if  in  the  wantonness  of  beauty,  fell  care- 
lessly upon  her  shoulders. 

It  was  some  time  before  I  could  tear  myself  away  from 
the  fascination  of  so  much  beauty,  and  it  needed  no  com- 
mon effort  to  leave  the  spot.  As  I  made  a  short  detour  in 
the  garden  before  approaching  the  arbor,  she  saw  me  as  I 
came  forward,  and  kissing  her  hand  gayly,  made  room  for 
me  beside  her. 

"I  have  been  fortunate  in  finding  you  alone,  Senhora," 
said  I,  as  I  seated  myself  by  her  side,  "  for  I  am  the  bearer 


THE  VILLA.  327 

of  a  letter  to  you.     How  far  it  may  interest  you,  I  kuow 
not,  but  to  the  writer's  feelings  I  am  bound  to  testify." 

"  A  letter  to  me  ?     You  jest,  surely  ?  " 

"  That  I  am  in  earnest,  this  will  show,"  said  I,  producing 
the  packet. 

She  took  it  from  my  hands,  turned  it  about  and  about, 
examined  the  seal ;  while,  half  doubtingly,  she  said  :  — 

"  The  name  is  mine  ;  but  still  —  " 

"  You  fear  to  open  it ;  is  it  not  so  ?  But  after  all,  you 
need  not  be  surprised  if  it 's  from  Howard ;  that 's  his  name, 
I  think." 

"  Howard  !  from  little  Howard  ! "  exclaimed  she,  enthu- 
siastically ;  and  tearing  open  the  letter,  she  pressed  it  to 
her  lips,  her  eyes  sparkling  with  pleasure  and  her  cheek 
glowing  as  she  read.  I  watched  her  as  she  ran  rapidly  over 
the  lines  ;  and  I  confess  that,  more  than  once,  a  pang  of 
discontent  shot  through  my  heart  that  the  midshipman's 
letter  could  call  up  such  interest,  —  not  that  I  was  in  love 
with  her  myself,  but  yet,  I  know  not  how  it  was,  I  had 
fancied  her  affections  unengaged ;  and  without  asking  my- 
self wherefore,  I  wished  as  much. 

"  Poor  dear  boy  ! "  said  she,  as  she  came  to  the  end. 

How  these  few  and  simple  words  sank  into  my  heart,  as 
I  remembered  how  they  had  once  been  uttered  to  myself, 
and  in  perhaps  no  very  dissimilar  circumstances. 

"  But  where  is  the  souvenir  he  speaks  of  ?  "  said  she. 

"  The  souvenir.     I  'm  not  aware  —  " 

"Oh,  I  hope  you've  not  lost  the  lock  of  hair  he  sent  me  !" 

I  was  quite  dumfounded  at  this,  and  could  not  remember 
whether  I  had  received  it  from  Power  or  not,  so  answered, 
at  random,  — 

"  Yes  ;  I  must  have  left  it  on  my  table." 

"  Promise  me,  then,  to  bring  it  to-morrow  with  you  ?  " 

"  Certainly,"  said  I,  with  something  of  pique  in  my  man- 
ner. "  If  I  find  such  a  means  of  making  my  visit  an  agree- 
able one,  I  shall  certainly  not  omit  it." 

"You  are  quite  right,"  said  she,  either  not  noticing  or 
not  caring  for  the  tone  of  my  reply.  "  You  will,  indeed,  be 
a  welcome  messenger.  Do  you  know,  he  was  one  of  my 
levers  ?  " 


328  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  One  of  tliem,  indeed !  Then  pray  how  many  do  you 
number  at  this  moment  ?  " 

''  Whab  a  question ;  as  if  I  could  possibly  count  them  ! 
Besides,  there  are  so  many  absent,  —  some  on  leave,  some 
deserters,  perhaps,  —  that  I  might  be  reckoning  among  my 
troops,  but  who,  possibly,  form  part  of  the  forces  of  the 
enemy.     Do  you  know  little  Howard  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  say  that  we  are  personally  acquainted,  but  I 
am  enabled  through  the  inedium  of  a  friend  to  say  that  his 
sentiments  are  not  strange  to  me.  Besides,  I  have  really 
pledged  myself  to  support  the  prayer  of  his  petition." 

"  How  very  good  of  you  !  For  which  reason  you  've 
forgotten,    if  not  lost,  the  lock  of  hair." 

"That  you  shall  have  to-morrow,"  said  I,  pressing  my 
hand  solemnly  to  my  heart, 

"  Well,  then,  don't  forget  it.  But  hush ;  here  comes 
Captain  Trevyllian.  So  you  say  Lisbon  really  pleases 
you  ? "  said  she,  in  a  tone  of  voice  totally  changed,  as 
the  dragoon  of  the  preceding  evening  approached. 

"  Mr.  O'Malley,  Captain  Trevyllian." 

We  bowed  stiffly  and  haughtily  to  each  other,  as  two  men 
salute  who  are  unavoidably  obliged  to  bow,  with  every  wish 
on  either  side  to  avoid  acquaintance.  So,  at  least,  I  con- 
strued his  bow ;  so  I  certainly  intended  my  own. 

It  requires  no  common  tact  to  give  conversation  the 
appearance  of  unconstraint  and  ease  when  it  is  evident 
that  each  person  opposite  is  laboring  under  excited  feel- 
ings ;  so  that,  notwithstanding  the  senhora's  efforts  to  engage 
our  attention  by  the  commonplaces  of  the  day,  we  remained 
almost  silent,  and  after  a  few  observations  of  no  interest, 
took  our  several  leaves.  Here  again  a  new  source  of  awk- 
wardness arose  ;  for  as  we  walked  together  towards  the 
house,  where  our  horses  stood,  neither  party  seemed  dis- 
posed to  speak. 

*'  You  are  probably  returning  to  Lisbon  ?  "  said  he,  coldly. 

I  assented  by  a  bow ;  upon  which,  drawing  his  bridle 
within  his  arm,  he  bowed  once  more,  and  turned  away  in 
an  opposite  direction ;  while  I,  glad  to  be  relieved  of  an 
unsouglit-for  companionship,  returned  alone  to  the  town. 


CHAPTER  XL. 

THE    DINNEK. 

It  was  with  no  peculiar  pleasure  that  I  dressed  for  our 
dinner  party.  Major  O'Shaughnessy,  our  host,  was  one  of 
that  class  of  my  countrymen  I  cared  least  for,  —  a  riotous, 
good-natured,  noisy,  loud-swearing,  punch-drinking  western  ; 
full  of  stories  of  impossible  fox  hunts,  and  unimaginable 
duels,  which  all  were  acted  either  by  himself  or  some  mem- 
ber of  his  family.  The  company  consisted  of  the  adjutant, 
Monsoon,  Ferguson,  Trevyllian,  and  some  eight  or  ten 
officers  with  whom  I  was  acquainted.  As  is  usual  on  such 
occasions,  the  wine  circulated  freely,  and  amidst  the  din  and 
clamor  of  excited  conversation,  the  fumes  of  Burgundy,  and 
the  vapor  of  cigar  smoke,  we  most  of  us  became  speedily 
mystified.  As  for  me,  my  evil  destiny  would  have  it  that  I 
was  placed  exactly  opposite  Trevyllian,  with  whom  upon 
more  than  one  occasion  I  happened  to  differ  in  opinion,  and 
the  question  was  in  itself  some  trivial  and  unimportant  one  ; 
yet  the  tone  which  he  assumed,  and  of  which,  I  too  could 
not  divest  myself  in  reply,  boded  anything  rather  than  an 
amicable  feeling  between  us.  The  noise  and  turmoil  about 
prevented  the  others  remarking  the  circumstance  ;  but  I 
could  perceive  in  his  manner  what  I  deemed  a  studied  deter- 
mination to  promote  a  quarrel,  while  I  felt  within  myself  a 
most  unchristian-like  desire  to  indulge  his  fancy. 

"Worse  fellows  at  passing  the  bottle  than  Trevyllian  and 
O'Malley  there  I  have  rarely  sojourned  with,"  cried  the 
major ;  "  look  if  they  have  n't  got  eight  decanters  between 
them,  and  here  we  are  in  a  state  of  African  thirst." 

*'  How  can  you  expect  him  to  think  of  thirst  when  such 
perfumed  billets  as  that  come  showering  upon  him  ?  "  said 
the  adjutant,  alluding  to  a  rose-colored  epistle  a  servant  had 
placed  within  my  hands. 

"  Eight  miles  of  a  stone-wall  country  in  fifteen  minutes, 
—  devil  a  lie  in  it !"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  striking  the  table 


330  CHi\.ELES   O'MALLEY. 

with  his  clinched  fist;    "show  me  the   man  would  deny 
it." 

"  Why,  my  dear  fellow  —  " 

*'  Don't  be  dearing  me.    Is  it  '  no '  you  '11  be  saying  me  ?  " 

"  Listen,  now ;  there 's  O'Eeilly,  there  —  " 

<'  Where  is  he  ?  " 

"  He 's  under  the  table." 

"  Well,  it 's  the  same  thing.  His  mother  had  a  fox  —  bad 
luck  to  you,  don't  scald  me  with  the  jug  —  his  mother  had 
a  fox-cover  in  Shinrohan." 

When  O'Shaughnessy  had  got  thus  far  in  his  narrative, 
I  had  the  opportunity  of  opening  my  note,  which  merely 
contained  the  following  words :  "  Come  to  the  ball  at  the 
Casino,  and  bring  the  Cadeau  you  promised." 

I  had  scarcely  read  this  over  once,  when  a  roar  of  laughter 
at  something  said  attracted  my  attention.  I  looked  up,  and 
perceived  Trevyllian's  eyes  bent  upon  me  with  the  fierce- 
ness of  a  tiger ;  the  veins  in  his  forehead  were  swollen  and 
distorted,  and  the  whole  expression  of  his  face  betokened 
rage  and  passion.  Resolved  no  longer  to  submit  to  such 
evident  determination  to  insult,  I  was  rising  from  my  place 
at  table,  when,  as  if  anticipating  my  intention,  he  pushed 
back  his  chair  and  left  the  room.  Fearful  of  attracting  atten- 
tion by  immediately  following  him,  I  affected  to  join  in  the 
conversation  around  me,  while  my  temples  throbbed,  and 
my  hands  tingled  with  impatience  to  get  away. 

"Poor  M'Manus,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  "rest  his  soul! 
he  'd  have  puzzled  the  bench  of  bishops  for  hard  words. 
Upon  my  conscience,  I  believe  he  spent  his  mornings  look- 
ing for  them  in  the  Old  Testament.  Sure  ye  might  have 
heard  what  happened  to  him  at  Banagher,  when  he  com- 
manded the  Kilkennys,  —  ye  never  heard  the  story  ?  Well, 
then,  ye  shall.  Push  the  sherry  along  first,  though,  —  old 
Monsoon  there  always  keeps  it  lingering  beside  his  left  arm. 

"  Well,  when  Peter  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  Kil- 
kennys, —  who,  I  may  remark,  e?i  passant,  as  the  French 
say,  were  the  seediest-looking  devils  in  the  whole  service,  — 
he  never  let  them  alone  from  morning  till  night,  drilling  and 
])ipe-claying  and  polishing  them  up.  'Nothing  will  make 
soldiers  of  you,'  said  Peter ,  '  but,  by  the  rock  of  Cashel ! 


THE   DINNER.  331 

I  '11  keep  you  as  clean  as  a  new  musket ! '  Now,  poor  Peter 
himself  was  not  a  very  warlike  figure, — lie  measured  five 
feet  one  in  his  tallest  boots ;  but  certainly  if  Nature  denied 
him  length  of  stature,  she  compensated  for  it  in  another 
way,  by  giving  him  a  taste  of  the  longest  words  in  the 
language.  An  extra  syllable  or  so  in  a  word  was  always  a 
strong  recommendation  ;  and  whenever  he  could  not  find  one 
to  his  mind,  he  'd  take  some  quaint,  outlandish  one  that  more 
than  once  led  to  very  awkward  results.  Well,  the  regiment 
was  one  day  draAvn  up  for  parade  in  the  town  of  Banagher, 
and  as  M'Manus  came  down  the  lines  he  stopped  opposite 
one  of  the  men  whose  face,  hands,  and  accoutrements  ex- 
hibited a  most  woeful  contempt  of  his  orders.  The  fellow 
looked  more  like  a  turf-stack  than  a  light-company  man. 

" '  Stand  out,  sir ! '  cried  M'Manus,  in  a  boiling  passion. 
'  Sergeant  O'Toole,  inspect  this  individual.'  Now,  the 
sergeant  was  rather  a  favorite  with  Mac ;  for  he  always 
pretended  to  understand  his  phraseology,  and  in  consequence 
was  pronounced  by  the  colonel  a  very  superior  man  for  his 
station  in  life.  '  Sergeant,'  said  he,  '  we  shall  make  an  ex- 
emplary illustration  of  our  system  here.' 

"  '  Yes,  sir,'  said  the  sergeant,  sorely  puzzled  at  the  mean- 
ing of  what  he  spoke. 

"'Bear  him  to  the  Shannon,  and  lave  him  there.'  This 
he  said  in  a  kind  of  Coriolanus  tone,  with  a  toss  of  his 
head  and  a  wave  of  his  right  arm,  —  signs,  whenever  he  made 
them,  incontestibly  showing  that  further  parley  was  out  of 
the  question,  and  that  he  had  summed  up  and  charged  the 
jury  for  good  and  all. 

"  '  Lave  him  in  the  river  ?  '  said  O'Toole,  his  eyes  starting 
from  the  sockets,  and  his  whole  face  working  in  strong 
anxiety ;  *  is  it  lave  him  in  the  river  yer  honor  means  ?  ' 

"  *  I  have  spoken,'  said  the  little  man,  bending  an  ominous 
frown  upon  the  sergeant,  which,  whatever  construction  he 
may  have  put  upon  his  words,  there  was  no  mistaking. 

" '  Well,  well,  av  it 's  God's  will  he  's  drowned,  it  will  not 
be  on  my  head,'  says  O'Toole,  as  he  marched  the  fellow  away 
between  two  rank  and  file. 

"  The  parade  was  nearly  over,  when  Mac  happened  to  see 
the  sergeant  coming  up  all  splashed  with  water  and  looking 
quite  tired. 


332  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

" '  Have  you  obeyed  my  orders  ? '  said  he. 

"  '  Yes,  yer  honor ;  and  tough  work  we  had  of  it,  for  he 
struggled  hard/ 

"  *  And  where  is  he  now  ?  ' 

" '  Oh,  troth,  he 's  there  safe.     Divil  a  fear  he  '11  get  out.' 

"  '  Where  ? '  said  Mac. 

"  'In  the  river,  yer  honor.' 

"  '  What  have  you  done,  you  scoundrel  ? ' 

"  *  Did  n't  I  do  as  you  bid  me  ? '  says  he ;  '  did  n't  I  throw 
him  in  and  lave  [leave]  him  there  ? ' 

"  And  faith  so  they  did ;  and  if  he  was  n't  a  good  swim- 
mer and  got  over  to  Moystown,  there 's  little  doubt  but  he  'd 
have  been  drowned,  and  all  because  Peter  M'Manus  could 
not  express  himself  like  a  Christian." 

In  the  laughter  which  followed  O'Shaughnessy's  story  I 
took  the  opportunity  of  making  my  escape  from  the  party, 
and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  street  unobserved.  Though 
the  note  I  had  just  read  was  not  signed,  I  had  no  doubt 
from  whom  it  came ;  so  I  hastened  at  once  to  my  quarters, 
to  make  search  for  the  lock  of  Ned  Howard's  hair  to  which 
the  senhora  alluded.  What  was  my  mortification,  however, 
to  discover  that  no  such  thing  could  be  found  anywhere. 
I  searched  all  my  drawers ;  I  tossed  about  my  papers  and 
letters  ;  I  hunted  every  likely,  every  unlikely  spot  I  could 
think  of,  but  in  vain,  —  now  cursing  my  carelessness  for 
having  lost  it,  now  swearing  most  solemnly  to  myself  that 
I  never  could  have  received  it.  What  was  to  be  done  ?  It 
was  already  late  ;  my  only  thought  was  how  to  replace  it. 
If  I  only  knew  the  color,  any  other  lock  of  hair  would,  doubt- 
less, do  just  as  well.  The  chances  were,  as  Howard  was 
young  and  an  Englishman,  that  his  hair  was  light ;  light- 
brown,  probably,  something  like  my  own.  Of  course  it  was  ; 
why  did  n't  that  thought  occur  to  me  before  ?  How  stupid  I 
was.  So  saying,  I  seized  a  pair  of  scissors,  and  cut  a  long 
lock  beside  my  temple  ;  this  in  a  calm  moment  I  might  have 
hesitated  about.  "  Yes,"  thought  I,  "  she  '11  never  discover 
the  cheat;  and  besides,  I  do  feel,  —  I  know  not  exactly 
why,  —  rather  gratified  to  tliink  that  I  shall  have  left  this 
souvenir  behind  me,  even  though  it  call  up  other  recollec- 
tions than  of  me."  So  tliinking,  I  wrapped  my  cloak  about 
me  and  hastened  towards  the  Casino. 


CHAPTER   XLI. 

THE    ROUTE. 

I  HAD  scarcely  gone  a  hundred  yards  from  my  quarters 
when  a  great  tramp  of  horses'  feet  attracted  my  attention. 
I  stopped  to  listen,  and  soon  heard  the  jingle  of  dragoon 
accoutrements,  as  the  noise  came  near.  The  night  was  dark 
but  perfectly  still ;  and  before  I  stood  many  minutes  I 
heard  the  tones  of  a  voice  which  I  well  knew  could  belong 
to  but  one,  and  that  Fred  Power. 

"  Fred  Power ! "  said  I,  shouting  at  the  same  time  at  the 
top  of  my  voice,  —  "  Power  !  " 

"  Ah,  Charley,  is  that  you  ?  Come  along  to  the  adjutant- 
general's  quarters.  I'm  charged  with  some  Important 
despatches,  and  can't  stop  till  1  've  delivered  them.  Come 
along,  I  've  glorious  news  for  you ! "  So  saying,  he  dashed 
spurs  to  his  horse,  and  followed  by  two  mounted  dragoons, 
galloped  past.  Power's  few  and  hurried  words  had  so 
excited  my  curiosity  that  I  turned  at  once  to  follow  him, 
questioning  myself,  as  I  walked  along,  to  what  he  could 
possibly  allude.  He  knew  of  my  attachment  to  Lucy  Dash- 
wood,  —  could  he  mean  anything  of  her  ?  But  what  could 
I  expect  there ;  by  what  flattery  could  I  picture  to  myself 
any  chance  of  success  in  that  quarter ;  and  yet,  what  other 
news  could  I  care  for  or  value  than  what  bore  upon  her  fate 
upon  whom  my  own  depended  ?  Thus  ruminating,  I  reached 
the  door  of  the  spacious  building  in  which  the  adjutant- 
general  had  taken  up  his  abode,  and  soon  found  myself 
among  a  crowd  of  persons  whom  the  rumor  of  some  impor- 
tant event  had  assembled  there,  though  no  one  could  tell 
what  had  occurred.  Before  many  minutes  the  door  opened, 
and  Power  came  out ;  bowing  hurriedly  to  a  few,  and  whis- 
pering a  word  or  two  as  he  passed  down  the  steps,  he  seized 
me  by  the  arm  and  led  me  across  the  street.  "  Charley," 
said  he,  "the  curtain's  rising;  the  piece  is  about  to  begin; 
a  new  commander-in-chief  is  sent  out, — Sir  Arthur  Wellesley, 


334  CHARLES  O'M^VLLEY. 

my  boy,  the  finest  fellow  in  England  is  to  lead  us  on,  and 
we  march  to-morrow.  There  's  news  for  you  !  "  A  raw  boy, 
unread,  uninformed  as  I  was,  I  knew  but  little  of  his  career 
whose  name  had  even  then  shed  such  lustre  upon  our  army ; 
but  the  buoyant  tone  of  Power  as  he  spoke,  the  kmdling 
energy  of  his  voice  roused  me,  and  I  felt  every  inch  a  soldier. 
As  I  grasped  his  hand  in  delightful  enthusiasm  I  lost  all 
memory  of  my  disappointment,  and  in  the  beating  throb 
that  shook  my  head,  I  felt  how  deeply  slept  the  ardor  of 
military  glory  that  first  led  me  from  my  home  to  see  a 
battle-field. 

"  There  goes  the  news ! "  said  Frederick,  pointing  as  he 
spoke  to  a  rocket  that  shot  up  into  the  sky,  and  as  it  broke 
into  ten  thousand  stars,  illuminated  the  broad  stream  where 
the  ships  of  war  lay  darkly  resting.  In  another  moment 
the  whole  air  shone  with  similar  fires,  while  the  deep  roll 
of  the  drum  sounded  along  the  silent  streets,  and  the  city 
so  lately  sunk  in  sleep  became,  as  if  by  magic,  thronged 
with  crowds  of  people;  the  sharp  clang  of  the  cavalry 
trumpet  blended  with  the  gay  carol  of  the  light-infantry 
bugle,  and  the  heavy  tramp  of  the  march  was  heard  in  the 
distance.  All  was  excitement,  all  bustle ;  but  in  the  joyous 
tone  of  every  voice  was  spoken  the  longing  anxiety  to 
meet  the  enemy.  The  gay,  reckless  tone  of  an  Irish  song 
would  occasionally  reach  us,  as  some  Connaught  Ranger 
r>r  some  78th  man  passed,  his  knapsack  on  his  back ;  or 
the  low  monotonous  pibroch  of  the  Highlander,  swelling 
into  a  war-cry,  as  some  kilted  corps  drew  up  their  ranks 
together.  We  turned  to  regain  our  quarters,  when  at  the 
corner  of  a  street  we  came  suddenly  upon  a  merry  party 
seated  around  a  table  before  a  little  inn  ;  a  large  street  lamp, 
unhung  for  the  occasion,  had  been  placed  in  the  midst  of 
them,  and  showed  us  the  figures  of  several  soldiers  in  un- 
dress ;  at  the  end,  and  raised  a  little  above  his  compeers, 
sat  one  whom,  by  the  unfair  proportion  he  assumed  of  the 
conversation,  not  less  than  by  the  musical  intonation  of  his 
voice,  I  soon  recognized  as  my  man,  Mickey  Free. 

"  I  '11  be  hanged  if  that 's  not  your  fellow  there,  Charley," 
said  Power,  as  he  came  to  a  dead  stop  a  few  yards  off. 
''What  an  impertinent  varlet  he  is;  only  to  think  of  him 
there,  presiding  among  a  set  of  fellows  that  have  fought  all 


THE   ROUTE.  335 

the  battles  in  the  Peninsular  war.     At  this  moment  I  '11  be 
hanged  if  he  is  not  going  to  sing." 

Here  a  tremendous  thumping  upon  the  table  announced 
the  fact,  and  after  a  few  preliminary  observations  from 
Mike,  illustrative  of  his  respect  to  the  service  in  which  he 
had  so  often  distinguished  himself,  he  began,  to  the  air  of 
the  ''  Young  May  Moon,"  a  ditty  of  which  I  only  recollect 
the  following  verses  :  — 

"  The  pickets  are  fast  retreating,  boys, 
The  last  tattoo  is  beating,  boys, 
So  let  every  man 
Finish  his  can, 
And  drink  to  our  next  merry  meeting,  boys. 

"  The  colonel  so  gayly  prancing,  boys, 
Has  a  wonderful  trick  of  advancing,  boyg, 
When  he  sings  out  so  large, 
*  Fix  bayonets  and  charge  1 ' 
He  sets  all  the  Frenchmen  a-dancing,  boys, 

"  Let  Mounseer  look  ever  so  big,  my  boys, 
Who  cares  for  fighting  a  iig,  my  boys  ? 

When  we  play  '  Garryowen,* 

He  'd  rather  go  home  ; 
For  somehow,  he  's  no  taste  for  a  jig,  my  boys." 

This  admirable  lyric  seemed  to  have  perfect  success,  if 
one  were  only  to  judge  from  the  thundering  of  voices, 
hands,  and  drinking  vessels  which  followed ;  while  a  ven- 
erable, gray-haired  sergeant  rose  to  propose  Mr.  Free's 
health,  and  speedy  promotion  to  him. 

We  stood  for  several  minutes  in  admiration  of  the 
party,  when  the  loud  roll  of  the  drums  beating  to  arms 
awakened  us  to  the  thought  that  our  moments  were 
numbered. 

"  Good-night,  Charley ! "  said  Power,  as  he  shook  my 
hand  warmly,  "  good-night !  It  will  be  your  last  night 
under  a  curtain  for  some  months  to  come  ;  make  the  most 
of  it.     Adieu  !  " 

So  saying,  we  parted  ;  he  to  his  quarters,  and  I  to  all  the 
confusion  of  my  baggage,  which  lay  in  most  admired 
disorder  about  my  room. 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

THE    FAREWELL. 

The  preparations  for  the  march  occupied  me  till  near 
morning ;  and,  indeed,  had  I  been  disposed  to  sleep,  the  din 
and  clamor  of  the  world  without  would  have  totally  pre- 
vented it.  Before  daybreak  the  advanced  guard  was  already 
in  motion,  and  some  squadrons  of  heavy  cavalry  had  begun 
their  march. 

I  looked  around  my  now  dismantled  room  as  one  does 
usually  for  the  last  time  ere  leaving,  and  bethought  me  if 
I  had  not  forgotten  anything.  Apparently  all  was  remem- 
bered ;  but  stay,  —  what  is  this  ?  To  be  sure,  how  forgetful 
I  had  become  !  It  was  the  packet  I  destined  for  Donna 
Inez,  and  which,  in  the  confusion  of  the  night  before,  I  had 
omitted  to  bring  to  the  Casino. 

I  immediately  despatched  Mike  to  the  commissary  with 
my  higgage  and  orders  to  ascertain  when  we  were  ex- 
pected to  march.  He  soon  returned  with  the  intelligence 
that  our  corps  was  not  to  move  before  noon ,  so  that 
I  had  yet  some  hours  to  spare  and  make  my  adieux  to  the 
senhora. 

I  cannot  exactly  explain  the  reason,  but  I  certainly  did 
bestow  a  more  than  common  attention  upon  my  toilet  that 
morning.  The  senhora  was  nothing  to  me.  It  is  true  she 
had,  as  she  lately  most  candidly  informed  me,  a  score  of 
admirers,  among  whom  I  was  not  even  reckoned ;  she  was 
evidently  a  coquette  whose  greatest  pleasure  was  to  sport 
and  amuse  herse^.f  with  the  passions  she  excited  in  others. 
And  even  if  she  were  not,  —  if  her  heart  were  to  !^e  won 
to-morrow,  — what  claim,  what  right,  had  I  to  seek  it  ?  My 
affections  were  already  pledged ;  promised,  it  is  true,  to  one 
who  gave  nothing  in  return,  and  who,  perhaps,  even  loved 
another.  Ah,  there  was  the  rub ;  that  one  confounded 
suspicion,  lurking  in  the  rear,  chilled  my  courage  and 
wounded  ray  spirit. 


THE   FAREWELL.  337 

If  there  be  anything  more  disheartening  to  an  Irishman, 
in  his  little  affaires  de  cmur,  than  another,  it  is  the  sense  of 
rivalry.  The  obstinacy  of  fathers,  the  ill-will  of  mothers, 
the  coldness,  the  indifference  of  the  lovely  object  herself,  — 
obstacles  though  they  be, — he  has  tact,  spirit,  and  perse- 
verance to  overcome  them.  But  when  a  more  successful 
candidate  for  the  fair  presents  himself;  when  the  eye  that 
remains  downcast  at  lils  suit,  lights  up  with  animation  at 
another's  coming ;  when  the  features  whose  cold  and  chill- 
ing apathy  to  him  have  blended  in  one  smile  of  welcome  to 
another,  —  it  is  all  up  with  him;  he  sees  the  game  lost,  and 
chrows  his  cards  upon  the  table.  And  yet,  why  is  this  ? 
"Why  is  it  that  he  whose  birthright  it  would  seem  to  be  san- 
guine when  others  despond,  to  be  confident  when  all  else 
are  hopeless,  —  should  find  his  courage  fail  him  here  ?  The 
reason  is  simply  —  But,  in  good  sooth,  I  am  ashamed  to 
confess  it ! 

Having  jogged  on  so  far  with  my  reader,  in  all  the  sober 
seriousness  which  the  matter-of-fact  material  of  these  me- 
moirs demands,  I  fear  lest  a  seeming  paradox  may  cause  me 
to  lose  my  good  name  for  veracity ;  and  that  while  merely 
maintaining  a  national  trait  of  my  country,  I  may  appear  to 
be  asserting  some  unheard-of  and  absurd  proposition,  —  so 
far  have  mere  vulgar  prejudices  gone  to  sap  our  character 
as  a  people. 

The  reason,  then,  is  this,  —  for  I  have  gone  too  far  to 
retreat,  —  the  Irishman  is  essentially  bashful.  Well,  laugh 
if  you  wish,  for  I  conclude  that,  by  this  time,  you  have 
given  way  to  a  most  immoderate  excess  of  risibility ,  but 
still,  when  you  have  perfectly  recovered  your  composure, 
'.  beg  to  repeat,  —  the  Irishman  is  essentially  a  bashful 
man ! 

Do  not  for  a  moment  fancy  that  I  would  by  this  imply 
that  in  any  new  or  unexpected  situation,  that  from  any 
unforeseen  conjuncture  of  events,  the  Irishman  would 
feel  confused  or  abashed,  more  than  any  other,  —  far  from 
it.  The  cold  and  habitual  reserve  of  the  Englishman,  the 
studied  caution  of  the  North  Tweeder  himself,  would 
exhibit  far  stronger  evidences  of  awkwardness  in  such 
circumstances  as  these.       But  on   the   other  hand,   when 


338  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

measuring  his  capacity,  his  means  of  success,  his  probabili- 
ties of  being  preferred,  with  those  of  the  natives  of  any 
otlier  country,  I  back  the  Irishman  against  the  workl  for 
distrust  of  his  own  powers,  for  an  under-estimate  of  his  real 
merits,  —  in  one  word,  for  his  bashf ulness.  But  let  us  return 
to  Donna  Inez. 

As  I  rode  up  to  the  villa,  I  found  the  family  assembled  at 
breakfast.  Several  officers  were  also  present,  among  whom 
I  was  not  sorry  to  recognize  my  friend  IVIonsoon. 

"  Ah,  Charley !  "  cried  he,  as  T  seated  myself  beside  him, 
"  Avhat  a  pity  all  our  fun  is  so  soon  to  have  an  end  !  Here  's 
this  confounded  Soult  won't  be  quiet  and  peaceable ;  but  he 
must  march  upon  Oporto,  and  Heaven  knows  where  besides, 
just  as  we  were  really  beginning  to  enjoy  life  !  I  had  got 
such  a  contract  for  blankets  !  And  now  they  've  ordered  me 
to  join  Beresford's  corps  in  the  mountains ;  and  you," 
here  he  dropped  his  voice,  —  *'  and  you  were  getting  on  so 
devilish  well  in  this  quarter ;  upon  my  life,  I  think  you  'd 
have  carried  the  day.  Old  Don  Emanuel  —  you  know  he 's  a 
friend  of  mine  —  likes  you  very  much.  And  then,  there  's 
Sparks  —  " 

''Ay,  IMajor,  what  of  him?  I  have  not  seen  him  for 
some  days." 

''  Why,  they  've  been  frightening  the  poor  devil  out  of  his 
life,  O'Shaughnessy  and  a  set  of  them.  They  tried  him  by 
court-martial  yesterday,  and  sentenced  him  to  mount  guard 
witli  a  wooden  sword  and  a  shooting  jacket,  which  he  did. 
Old  Colbourne,  it  seems,  saw  him  ;  and  faith,  there  would 
be  the  devil  to  pay  if  the  route  had  not  come !  Some  of 
them  would  certainly  have  got  a  long  leave  to  see  their 
friends." 

"  Why  is  not  the  senhora  here.  Major  ?  I  don't  see  her 
at  tabla." 

"  A  cold,  a  sore  throat,  a  wet-feet  affair  of  last  night,  I 
believe.  Pass  that  cold  pie  down  here.  Sherry,  if  you 
please.     You  did  n't  see  Power  to-day  ?  " 

"  No :  we  parted  late  last  night ;  I  have  not  been  to  bed." 

"  Very  bad  preparation  for  a  march ;  take  some  burned 
brandy  in  your  coffee." 

"  Then  you  don't  think  the  senhora  will  appear  ?  " 


THE   FAREWELL.  330 

"Very  unlikely.  But  stay,  you  know  her  room,  —  the 
small  drawing-room  that  looks  out  upon  the  flower-garden ; 
she  usually  passes  the  morning  there.  Leap  the  little 
wooden  paling  round  the  corner,  and  the  chances  are  ten 
to  one  you  find  her." 

I  saw  from  the  occupied  air  of  Don  Antonio  that  there 
Avas  little  fear  of  interruption  on  his  part;  so  taking  an 
early  moment  to  escape  unobserved,  I  rose  and  left  the 
room.  When  I  sprang  over  the  oak  fence,  I  found  myself 
in  a  delicious  little  garden,  where  roses,  grown  to  a  height 
never  seen  in  our  colder  climate,  formed  a  deep  bower  of 
rich  blossom. 

The  major  was  right.  The  senhora  was  in  the  room,  and 
in  one  moment  I  was  beside  her. 

"  Nothing  but  my  fears  of  not  bidding  you  farewell  could 
palliate  my  thus  intruding.  Donna  Inez ;  but  as  we  are 
ordered  away  —  " 

'''  When  ?     Kot  so  soon,  surely  ?  " 

''  Even  so  ;  to-day,  this  very  hour.  But  you  see  that  even 
in  the  hurry  of  departure,  I  have  not  forgotten  my  trust ; 
this  is  the  packet  I  promised  you." 

So  saying,  I  placed  the  paper  with  the  lock  of  hair  within 
her  hand,  and  bending  downwards,  pressed  my  lips  upon 
her  taper  fingers.  She  hurriedly  snatched  her  hand  away, 
and  tearing  open  the  enclosure,  took  out  the  lock.  She 
looked  steadily  for  a  moment  at  it,  then  at  me,  and  again  at 
it,  and  at  length,  bursting  into  a  fit  of  laughing,  threw 
herself  upon  a  chair  in  a  very  ecstasy  of  mirth. 

"  Why,  you  don't  mean  to  impose  this  auburn  ringlet  upon 
me  for  one  of  poor  Howard's  jetty  curls  ?  What  downrigiit 
folly  to  think  of  it !  And  then,  with  how  little  taste  the 
deception  was  practised,  —  upon  your  very  temples,  too  ! 
One  comfort  is,  you  are  utterly  spoiled  by  it." 

Here  she  again  relapsed  into  a  fit  of  laughter,  leaving  me 
perfectly  puzzled  what  to  think  of  her,  as  she  resumed  :  — 

"Well,  tell  me  now,  am  I  to  reckon  this  as  a  pledge  of 
your  own  allegiance,  or  am  I  still  to  believe  it  to  be  Edward 
Howard's  ?     Speak,  and  truly." 

"Of  my  own,  most  certainly,"  said  I,  "if  it  will  be 
accepted." 


340  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

"  Why,  after  such  treachery,  perhaps  it  ought  not ;  but 
still,  as  you  have  already  done  yourself  such  injury,  and 
look  so  very  silly,  withal  — " 

"That  you  are  even  resolved  to  give  me  cause  to  look 
more  so,"  added  I. 

"Exactly,"  said  she,  "for  here,  now,  I  reinstate  you 
among  my  true  and  faithful  admirers.  Kneel  down,  Sir 
Knight  —  in  token  of  which  you  will  wear  this  scarf  —  " 

A  sudden  start  which  the  donna  gave  at  these  words 
brought  me  to  my  feet.  She  was  pale  as  death  and 
trembling. 

"  What  means  this  ?  "  said  I.     "  What  has  happened  ?  " 

She  pointed  with  her  finger  towards  the  garden ;  but 
though  her  lips  moved,  no  voice  came  forth,  I  sprang 
through  the  open  window ;  I  rushed  into  the  copse,  the 
only  one  which  might  afford  concealment  for  a  figure,  but 
no  one  was  there.  After  a  few  minutes'  vain  endeavor  to 
discover  any  trace  of  an  intruder,  I  returned  to  the  cham- 
ber. The  donna  was  there  still,  but  how  changed;  her 
gayety  and  animation  were  gone,  her  pale  cheek  and  trem- 
bling lip  bespoke  fear  and  suffering,  and  her  cold  hand  lay 
heavily  beside  her. 

"  I  thought  —  perhaps  it  was  merely  fancy  —  but  I  thought 
I  saw  Trevyllian  beside  the  window." 

"  Impossible  !  "  said  I.  "  I  have  searched  every  walk  and 
alley.  It  was  nothing  but  imagination,  —  believe  me,  no 
more.     There,  be  assured ;  think  no  more  of  it." 

While  I  endeavored  thus  to  reassure  her,  I  was  very  far 
from  feeling  perfectly  at  ease  myself;  the  whole  bearing 
and  conduct  of  this  man  had  inspired  me  with  a  growing 
dislike  of  him,  and  I  felt  already  half-convinced  that  he  had 
established  himself  as  a  spy  upon  my  actions. 

"Then  you  really  believe  I  was  mistaken?"  said  the 
donna,  as  she  placed  her  hand  within  mine. 

"  Of  course  I  do ;  but  speak  no  more  of  it.  You  must  not 
forget  how  few  my  moments  are  here.  Already  I  have 
heard  the  tramp  of  horses  without.  Ah !  there  they  are. 
In  a  moment  more  I  shall  be  missed ;  so,  once  more,  fairest 
Inez  —  Nay,  I  beg  pardon  if  I  have  dared  to  call  you 
thus ;  but  think,  if  it  be  the  first  it  may  also  be  the  last 
time  I  shall  ever  speak  it." 


THE  FAEEWELL.  341 

Her  head  gently  drooped,  as  I  said  these  words,  till  it  sank 
upon  my  shouldei",  her  long  and  heavy  hair  falling  upon  my 
neck  and  across  my  bosom.  I  felt  her  heart  almost  beat 
against  my  side ;  I  muttered  some  words,  I  know  not  what ; 
I  felt  them  like  a  prayer ;  I  pressed  her  cold  forehead  to  my 
lips,  rushed  from  the  room,  cleared  the  fence  at  a  spring, 
and  was  far  upon  the  road  to  Lisbon  ere  I  could  sufficiently 
collect  my  senses  to  know  whither  I  was  going.  Of  little 
else  was  I  conscious ;  my  mind  was  full  to  bursting ;  and  in 
the  confusion  of  my  excited  brain,  fiction  and  reality  were 
so  inextricably  mingled  as  to  defy  every  endeavor  at  dis- 
crimination. But  little  time  had  I  for  reflection.  As  I 
reached  the  city,  the  brigade  to  which  I  was  attached  was 
already  under  arms,  and  Mike  impatiently  waiting  my  arrival 
with  the  horses. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

THE    MARCH. 

What  a  strange  spectacle  did  the  road  to  Oliveira  present 
upon  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  May  !  A  hurried  or  incau- 
tious observer  might,  at  first  sight,  have  pronounced  the  long 
line  of  troops  which  wended  their  way  through  the  valley 
as  the  remains  of  a  broken  and  routed  army,  had  not  the 
ardent  expression  and  bright  eye  that  beamed  on  every  side 
assured  him  that  men  who  looked  thus  could  not  be  beaten 
ones.  Horse,  foot,  baggage,  artillery,  dismounted  dragoons, 
even  the  pale  and  scarcely  recovered  inhabitants  of  the  hos- 
pital, might  have  been  seen  hurrying  on ;  for  the  order, 
"  Forward ! "  had  been  given  at  Lisbon,  and  those  whose 
wounds  did  not  permit  their  joining,  were  more  pitied  for 
their  loss  than  its  cause. ,  More  than  one  officer  was  seen  at 
the  head  of  his  troop  with  an  arm  in  a  sling,  or  a  bandaged 
forehead ;  while  among  the  men  similar  evidences  of  devo- 
tion were  not  unfrequent.  As  for  me,  long  years  and  many 
reverses  have  not  obliterated,  scarcely  blunted,  the  impres- 
sion that  sight  made  on  me.  The  splendid  spectacle  of  a 
review  had  often  excited  and  delighted  me,  but  here  there 
Avas  the  glorious  reality  of  war,  —  the  bronzed  faces,  the 
worn  uniforms,  the  well-tattered  flags,  the  roll  of  the  heavy 
guns  mingling  with  the  wild  pibroch  of  the  Highlander,  or 
scarcely  less  wild  recklessness  of  the  Irish  quick-step ;  while 
the  long  line  of  cavalry,  their  helmets  and  accoutrements 
sliining  in  the  morning  sun,  brought  back  one's  boyish 
dreams  of  joust  and  tournament,  and  made  the  heart  beat 
high  with  chivalrous  enthusiasm. 

"  Yes,"  said  I,  half  aloud,  "  this  is  indeed  a  realization  of 
what  I  longed  and  thirsted  for,"  the  clang  of  the  music  and 
the  tramp  of  the  cavalry  responding  to  my  throbbing  pulses 
as  we  moved  along. 


TIIE  MARCH.  343 

"  Close  up,  there ;  trot ! "  cried  out  a  deep  and  manly 
voice  ;  and  immediately  a  general  oflScer  rode  by,  followed 
by  an  aide-de-camp. 

"  There  goes  Cotton,"  said  Power.  "  You  may  feel  easy 
in  your  mind  now,  Charley  ;  there 's  some  work  before 
us." 

"  You  have  not  heard  our  destination  ?  "  said  I. 

"Nothing  is  known  for  certain  yet.  The  report  goes,  that 
Soult  is  advancing  upon  Oporto ;  and  the  chances  are.  Sir 
Arthur  intends  to  hasten  on  to  its  relief.  Our  fellows  are 
at  Ovar,  with  General  Murray." 

"I  say,  Charley,  old  Monsoon  is  in  a  devil  of  a  flurry. 
He  expected  to  have  been  peaceably  settled  down  in  Lisbon 
for  the  next  six  months,  and  he  has  received  orders  to  set 
out  for  Beresford's  headquarters  immediately;  and  from 
what  I  hear,  they  have  no  idle  time." 

"  "Well,  Sparks,  how  goes  it,  man  ?  Better  fun  this  than 
the  cook's  galley,  eh  ?  " 

"Why,  do  you  know,  these  hurried  movements  put  me 
out  confoundedly.  I  found  Lisbon  very  interesting,  —  the 
little  I  could  see  of  it  last  night." 

"Ah,  my  dear  fellow,  think  of  the  lovely  Andalusian 
lasses  with  their  brown  transparent  skins  and  liquid  eyes. 
Why,  you  'd  have  been  over  head  and  ears  in  love  in  twenty- 
four  hours  more,  had  we  stayed." 

"  Are  they  really  so  pretty  ?  " 

"  Pretty  !  downright  lovely,  man.  Why,  they  have  a  way 
of  looking  at  you,  over  their  fans,  —  just  one  glance,  short 
and  fleeting,  but  so  melting,  by  Jove  —  Then  their  walk, 
—  if  it  be  not  profane  to  call  that  springing,  elastic  gesture 
by  such  a  name,  —  why,  it 's  regular  witchcraft.  Sparks, 
my  man,  I  tremble  for  you.  Do  you  know,  by-the-bye,  that 
same  pace  of  theirs  is  a  devilish  hard  thing  to  learn.  I 
never  could  come  it;  and  yet,  somehow,  I  was  formerly 
rather  a  crack  fellow  at  a  ballet.  Old  Alberto  used  to  select 
me  for  a, -pas  de  zii^hyr  among  a  host ;  but  there  's  a  kind  of 
a  hop  and  a  slide  and  a  spring,  —  in  fact  you  must  have 
been  wearing  petticoats  for  eighteen  years,  and  have  an 
Andalusian  instep  and  an  india-rubber  sole  to  your  foot, 
or  it 's  no  use  trying  it.     How  I  used  to  make  them  laugh 


344  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

at  the  old  San  Josef  convent,  formerly,  by  my  efforts  in  the 
cause ! " 

"  Why,  how  did  it  ever  occur  to  you  to  practise  it  ?  " 

"  Many  a  man's  legs  have  saved  his  head,  Charley,  and  I 
put  it  to  mine  to  do  a  similar  office  for  me." 

"  True ;  but  I  never  heard  of  a  man  that  performed  a  pas 
seul  before  the  enemy." 

"  Not  exactly ;  but  still  you  're  not  very  wide  of  the  mark. 
If  you  '11  only  Avait  till  Ave  reach  Pontalegue,  I  '11  tell  you 
the  story ;  not  that  it 's  worth  the  delay,  but  talking  at  this 
brisk  pace  I  don't  admire." 

"  You  leave  a  detachment  here.  Captain  Power,"  said  an 
aide-de-camp,  riding  hastily  up ;  "  and  General  Cotton  re- 
quests you  will  send  a  subaltern  and  tAvo  sergeants  forward 
towards  Berar  to  reconnoitre  the  pass.  Franchesca's  cavalry 
are  reported  in  that  quarter."  So  speaking,  he  dashed  spurs 
to  his  horse,  and  Avas  out  of  sight  in  an  instant. 

PoAver,  at  the  same  moment,  wheeled  to  the  rear,  from 
Avhich  he  returned  in  an  instant,  accompanied  by  three  Avell- 
mounted  light  dragoons.  ''  Sparks,"  said  he,  '*  now  for  an 
occasion  of  distinguishing  yourself.  You  heard  the  order, 
lose  no  time ;  and  as  your  horse  is  an  able  one,  and  fresh, 
lose  not  a  second,  but  forward." 

No  sooner  Avas  Sparks  despatched  on  what  it  was  evident 
he  felt  to  be  anything  but  a  pleasant  duty,  than  I  turned 
toAvards  PoAver,  and  said,  Avith  some  tinge  of  disappointment 
in  the  tone,  "  Well,  if  you  really  felt  there  Avas  anything 
worth  doing  there,  I  flattered  myself  that  —  " 

"  Speak  out  man.  That  I  should  have  sent  you,  eh  ?  Is 
it  not  so  ?  " 

"  Yes,  you  've  hit  it," 

"Well,  Charley,  my  peace  is  easily  made  on  this  head. 
Why,  I  selected  Sparks  simply  to  spare  yoii  one  of  the  most 
un])leasant  duties  that  can  be  imposed  upon  a  man ;  a  duty 
Avhich,  let  him  discharge  it  to  the  uttermost,  Avill  ncA^er  be 
acknowledged,  and  the  slightest  failure  in  which  Avill  be  re- 
membered for  many  a  day  against  him,  besides  the  pleasant 
and  very  probable  prospect  of  being  selected  as  a  bull's  eye 
for  a  French  rifle,  or  carried  off  a  prisoner ;  eh,  Charley  ? 
There 's  no  glory  iu  that;  devil  a  ray  of  it !    Come,  come,  old 


THE   MARCH.  345 

fellow,  Fred  Power 's  not  the  man  to  keep  his  friend  out  of 
the  melee,  if  only  anything  can  be  made  by  being  in  it.  Poor 
Sparks,  I  'd  swear,  is  as  little  satisfied  with  the  arrangement 
as  yourself,  if  one  knew  but  all." 

"  I  say.  Power,"  said  a  tall,  dashing-looking  man  of  about 
five-and-forty,  with  a  Portuguese  order  on  his  breast,  —  "I 
say,  Power,  dine  with  us  at  the  halt." 

"  With  pleasure,  if  I  may  bring  my  young  friend  here." 

"  Of  course  ;  pray  introduce  us." 

"  Major  Hixley;  Mr.  O'Malley,  —  a  14th  man,  Hixley." 

"  Delighted  to  make  your  acquaintance,  Mr.  O'Malley. 
Knew  a  famous  fellow  in  Ireland  of  your  name,  a  certain 
Godfrey  O'^NIalley,  member  for  some  county  or  other." 

"  My  uncle,"  said  I,  blushing  deeply,  with  a  pleasurable 
feeling  at  even  this  slight  praise  of  my  oldest  friend. 

"  Your  uncle  !  give  me  your  hand.  By  Jove,  his  nephew 
has  a  right  to  good  treatment  at  my  hands  ;  he  saved  my  life 
in  the  year  '98.     And  how  is  old  Godfrey  ?  " 

"  Quite  well,  when  I  left  him  some  months  ago ;  a  little 
gout,  now  and  then." 

"  To  be  sure  he  has,  no  man  deserves  it  better ;  but  it 's  a 
gentlemanlike  gout  that  merely  jogs  his  memory  in  the 
morning  of  the  good  wine  he  has  drank  over  night.  By-the- 
bye,  what  became  of  a  friend  of  his,  a  devilish  eccentric 
fellow  who  held  a  command  in  the  Austrian  service  ?  " 

"  Oh,  Considine,  the  count  ?  " 

"  The  same." 

"  As  eccentric  as  ever ;  I  left  him  on  a  visit  with  my  uncle. 
And  Boyle,  —  did  you  know  Sir  Harry  Boyle  ?  " 

''  To  be  sure  I  did ;  shall  I  ever  forget  him,  and  his  capital 
blunders,  that  kept  me  laughing  the  whole  time  I  spent  in 
Ireland  ?  I  was  in  the  house  when  he  concluded  a  panegyric 
upon  a  friend,  by  calling  him,  '  the  father  to  the  poor,  and 
uncle  to  Lord  Donoughmore.'  " 

"  He  was  the  only  man  who  could  render  by  a  bull  what 
it  was  impossible  to  convey  more  correctly,"  said  Power. 
"  You  've  heard  of  his  duel  with  Dick  Toler  ?  " 

"  Xever ;  let 's  hear  it." 

"  It  was  a  bull  from  beginning  to  end.  Boyle  took  it  into 
his  head  that  Dick  was  a  person  with  whom  he  had  a  serious 


o46  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

row  ill  Cork.  Dick,  on  the  other  hand,  mistook  Boyle  for 
old  Caples,  whom  he  had  been  pursuing  with  horse-whipping 
intentions  for  some  months.  They  met  in  Kildare  Street 
Club,  and  very  little  colloquy  satisfied  them  that  they  were 
right  in  their  conjectures,  each  party  being  so  eagerly  ready 
to  meet  the  views  of  the  other.  It  never  was  a  difficult 
matter  to  find  a  friend  in  Dublin ;  and  to  do  them  justice, 
Irish  seconds,  generally  speaking,  are  perfectly  free  from 
any  imputation  upon  the  score  of  mere  delay.  Ko  men  have 
less  impertinent  curiosity  as  to  the  cause  of  the  quarrel ; 
wisely  supposing  that  the  principals  know  their  own  affairs 
best,  they  cautiously  abstain  from  indulging  any  prying 
spirit,  but  proceed  to  discharge  their  functions  as  best  they 
may.  Accordingly,  Sir  Harry  and  Dick  were  '  set  up,'  as 
the  phrase  is,  at  twelve  paces,  and  to  use  Boyle's  own  words, 
for  I  have  heard  him  relate  the  story,  — 

"We  blazed  away,  sir,  for  three  rounds.  I  put  two  in 
his  hat  and  one  in  his  neckcloth ;  his  shots  went  all  through 
the  skirt  of  my  coat. 

" '  AVe  '11  spend  the  day  here,'  says  Considine,  '  at  this 
rate.     Could  n't  you  put  them  closer  ? ' 

"  '  And  give  us  a  little  more  time  in  the  word,'  says  I. 

«  '  Exactly,'  said  Dick. 

"  Well,  they  moved  us  forward  two  paces,  and  set  to  load- 
ing the  pistols  again. 

"  By  this  time  we  were  so  near  that  we  had  full  opportu- 
nity to  scan  each  other's  faces.  Well,  sir,  I  stared  at  him, 
and  he  at  me. 

"'What!'  said  I. 

"'Eh!'  said  he. 

"  '  How  's  this  ?  '  said  I. 

" '  You  'rs  not  Billy  Caples  ? '  said  he. 

" '  Devil  a  bit ! '  said  I,  *  nor  I  don't  think  you  are  Archy 
Devine  ; '  and  faith,  sir,  so  it  appeared,  we  were  fighting 
away  all  the  morning  for  nothing ;  for,  somehow,  it  turned 
out  it  was  neither  of  us  !  " 

What  amused  me  most  in  this  anecdote  was  the  hearing  it 
at  such  a  time  and  place.  That  poor  Sir  Harry's  eccentrici- 
ties should  turn  up  for  discussion  on  a  marcli  in  Portugal 
was  singular  enough ;  but  after  all,  life  is  full  of  such  iu- 


THE  MARCH.  347 

congruous  accidents.  I  remember  once  supping  with  King 
Calzoo  on  the  Bhie  Mountains,  in  Jamaica.  By  way  of  en- 
tertaining his  guests,  some  English  officers,  he  ordered  one 
of  his  suite  to  sing.  We  were  of  course  pleased  at  the 
opportunity  of  hearing  an  Indian  war-chant,  with  a  skull 
and  thigh-bone  accompaniment ;  but  what  was  our  astonish- 
ment to  hear  the  Indian,  —  a  ferocious-looking  dog,  with  an 
awful  scalp-lock,  and  two  streaks  of  red  paint  across  his 
chest,  —  clear  his  voice  well  for  a  few  seconds,  and  then 
begin,  without  discomposing  a  muscle  of  his  gravity,  "  The 
Laird  of  Cockpen ! "  I  need  not  say  that  the  "  Great  Raccoon  " 
was  a  Dumfries  man  who  had  quitted  Scotland  forty  years 
before,  and  with  characteristic  prosperity  had  attained  his 
present  rank  in  a  foreign  service. 

"  Halt !  halt !  "  cried  a  deep-toned,  manly  voice  in  the 
leading  column,  and  the  word  was  repeated  from  mouth 
to  mouth  to  the  rear. 

We  dismounted,  and  picketing  our  horses  beneath  the 
broad-leaved  foliage  of  the  cork-trees,  stretched  ourselves 
out  at  full  length  upon  the  grass,  while  our  messmen  pre- 
pared the  dinner.  Our  party  at  first  consisted  of  Hixley, 
Power,  the  adjutant,  and  myself ;  but  our  number  was  soon 
increased  by  three  officers  of  the  6th  Foot,  about  to  join 
their  regiment. 

"  Barring  the  ladies,  God  bless  them  !  "  said  Power,  "  there 
are  no  such  picnics  as  campaigning  presents.  The  charms  of 
scenery  are  greatly  enhanced  by  their  coming  unexpectedly 
on  you.  Your  chance  good  fortune  in  the  prog  has  an  in- 
terest that  no  ham-and-cold-chicken  affair,  prepared  by  yonr 
servants  beforehand,  and  got  ready  with  a  degree  of  fuss 
and  worry  that  converts  the  whole  party  into  an  assembly 
of  cooks,  can  ever  afford ;  and  lastly,  the  excitement  that 
this  same  life  of  ours  is  never  without,  gives  a  zest  —  " 

"  There  you  've  hit  it,"  cried  Hixley ;  "  it 's  that  same  feel- 
ing of  uncertainty  that  those  who  meet  now  may  ever  do  so 
again,  full  as  it  is  of  sorrowful  reflection,  that  still  teaches 
us,  as  Ave  become  inured  to  war,  to  economize  our  pleasures, 
and  be  happy  when  we  may.  Your  health,  O'Malley,  and 
your  uncle  Godfrey's  too." 

"  A  little  more  of  the  pastry." 


348  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

"  What  a  capital  guinea  fowl  this  is  !  " 

"  Tliat  's  some  of  old  Monsoon's  particular  port." 

"  Pass  it  round  here.     Keally  this  is  pleasant." 

"  My  blessing  on  the  man  wlio  left  that  vista  yonder ! 
See  what  a  glorious  valley  stretches  out  there,  undulating 
in  its  richness  ;  and  look  at  those  dark  trees,  where  just  one 
streak  of  soft  sunlight  is  kissing  their  tops,  giving  them 
one  chaste  good-night  — " 

"  Well  done.  Power  !  " 

"  Confound  you,  you  've  pulled  me  short,  and  I  was  about 
becoming  downright  pastoral.  Apropos  of  kissing,  I  under- 
stand Sir  Arthur  won't  allow  the  convents  to  be  occupied 
by  troops." 

"  And  apropos  of  convents,"  said  I,  "  let 's  hear  your  story ; 
you  promised  it  a  while  ago." 

*•'  My  dear  Charley,  it 's  far  too  early  in  the  evening  for  a 
story.  I  should  rather  indulge  my  poetic  fancies  here,  under 
the  shade  of  melancholy  boughs ;  and  besides,  I  am  not  half 
screwed  up  yet." 

"  Come,  Adjutant,  let's  have  a  song." 

"  I  '11  sing  you  a  Portuguese  serenade  when  the  next  bot- 
tle comes  in.    What  capital  port !     Have  you  much  of  it  ?  " 

"  Only  three  dozen.  We  got  it  late  last  night ;  forged  an 
order  from  the  commanding  officer  and  sent  it  up  to  old 
jMonsoon,  — '  for  hospital  use.'  He  gave  it  with  a  tear  in 
his  eye,  saying,  as  the  sergeant  marched  away,  '  Only  think 
of  svich  wine  for  fellows  that  may  be  in  the  next  world 
before  morning  !     It 's  a  downright  sin  ! '  " 

"  I  say.  Power,  there 's  something  going  on  there." 

At  this  instant  the  trumpet  sounded  "boot  and  saddle," 
and  like  one  man  the  whole  mass  rose  up,  when  the  scene, 
late  so  tranquil,  became  one  of  excited  bustle  and  confusion. 
An  aide-de-camp  galloped  past  towards  the  river,  followed 
by  two  orderly  sergeants  ;  and  the  next  moment  Sparks  rode 
up,  his  whole  equipment  giving  evidence  of  a  hurried  ride, 
while  his  cheek  was  deadly  pale  and  haggard. 

Power  presented  to  him  a  goblet  of  sherry,  which,  having 
emptied  at  a  draught,  he  drew  a  long  breath,  and  said,  "  They 
are  coming,  — coming  in  force  !  " 

"  Who  are  coming  ?  "  said  Power.  "  Take  time,  man,  and 
collect  yourself." 


THE   MARCH.  349 

"  The  French  !  I  saw  them  a  devilish  deal  closer  than  I 
liked.  They  wounded  one  of  the  orderlies  and  took  the  other 
prisoner." 

"  Forward  ! "  said  a  hoarse  voice  in  the  front.  "  March ! 
trot !  "  And  before  we  could  obtain  any  further  information 
from  Sparks,  whose  faculties  seemed  to  have  received  a  ter- 
rific shock,  we  were  once  more  in  the  saddle,  and  moving  at 
a  brisk  pace  onward. 

Sparks  had  barely  time  to  tell  us  that  a  large  body  of 
French  cavalry  occupied  the  pass  of  Berar,  when  he  was 
sent  for  by  General  Cotton  to  finish  his  report. 

"  How  frightened  the  fellow  is  ! "  said  Hixley. 

"  I  don't  think  the  worse  of  poor  Sparks  for  all  that," 
said  Power.  "  He  saw  those  fellows  for  the  first  time,  and 
no  bird's-eye  view  of  them  either." 

"  Then  we  are  in  for  a  skirmish,  at  least,"  said  I. 

"  It  would  appear  not,  from  that,"  said  Hixley,  pointing 
to  the  head  of  the  column,  which,  leaving  the  high  road  upon 
the  left,  entered  the  forest  by  a  deep  cleft  that  opened  upon 
a  valley  traversed  by  a  broad  river. 

"  That  looks  very  like  taking  up  a  position,  though,"  said 
Power. 

"  Look,  —  look  down  yonder  ! "  cried  Hixley,  pointing  to 
a  dip  in  the  plain  beside  the  river.  ''  Is  there  not  a  cavalry 
picket  there  ?  " 

"  Eight,  by  Jove  !  I  say,  Fitzroy,"  said  Power  to  an  aide- 
de-camp  as  he  passed,  "  what 's  going  on  ?  " 

"  Soult  has  carried  Oporto,"  cried  he,  "  and  Franchesca's 
cavalry  have  escaped." 

"  And  who  are  these  fellows  in  the  valley  ?  " 

"  Our  own  people  coming  up." 

In  less  than  half  an  hour's  brisk  trotting  we  reached  the 
stream,  the  banks  of  which  were  occupied  by  two  cavalry 
regiments  advancing  to  the  main  army ;  and  what  was  my 
delight  to  find  that  one  of  them  was  our  own  corps,  the 
l-Ith  Light  Dragoons  ! 

"  Hurra ! "  cried  Power,  waving  his  cap  as  he  came  up. 
"  How  are  you,  Sedgewick  ?  Baker,  my  hearty,  how  goes 
it  ?     How  is  Hampton  and  the  colonel  ?  " 

In  an  instant  we  were  surrounded  by  our  brother  officers, 


t350  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

wlio  all  sliook  me  cordially  by  the  hand,  and  welcomed  me 
to  the  regiment  with  most  gratifying  warmth. 

*'  One  of  us,"  said  Power,  with  a  knowing  look,  as  he  intro- 
duced me ;  and  the  freemasonry  of  these  few  words  secured 
me  a  hearty  greeting. 

"  Halt !  halt !  Dismount !  "  sounded  again  from  front  to 
rear ;  and  in  a  few  minutes  we  were  once  more  stretched 
upon  the  grass,  beneath  the  deep  and  mellow  moonlight, 
while  the  bright  stream  ran  placidly  beside  us,  reflecting 
on  its  calm  surface  the  varied  groups  as  they  lounged  or 
sat  around  the  blazing  fires  of  the  bivouac. 


CHAPTER  XLIV.. 

THE    BIVOUAC. 

When-  I  contrasted  the  gay  and  lively  tone  of  the  con- 
versation which  ran  on  around  our  bivouac  fire,  with  the 
dry  monotony  and  prosaic  tediousness  of  my  first  military 
dinner  at  Cork,  I  felt  how  much  the  spirit  and  adventure 
of  a  soldier's  life  can  impart  of  chivalrous  enthusiasm  to 
even  the  dullest  and  least  susceptible.  I  saw  even  many 
who  under  common  circumstances  would  have  possessed  no 
interest  nor  excited  any  curiosity,  but  now,  connected  as 
they  were  with  the  great  events  occurring  around  them, 
absolutely  became  heroes  ;  and  it  was  with  a  strange,  wild 
throbbing  of  excitement  I  listened  to  the  details  of  move- 
ments and  marches,  whose  objects  I  knew  not,  but  in  which 
tlie  magical  words,  Corunna,  Yimeira,  were  mixed  up,  and 
gave  to  the  circumstances  an  interest  of  the  highest  char- 
acter. How  proud,  too,  I  felt  to  be  the  companion-in-arms 
of  such  fellows !  Here  they  sat,  the  tried  and  proved  sol- 
diers of  a  hundred  fights,  treating  me  as  their  brother  and 
their  equal.  Who  need  wonder  if  I  felt  a  sense  of  excited 
pleasure  ?  Had  I  needed  such  a  stimulant,  that  night  be- 
neath the  cork-trees  had  been  enough  to  arouse  a  passion 
for  the  army  in  my  heart,  and  an  irrepressible  determination 
to  seek  for  a  soldier's  glory. 

"  Fourteenth  ! "  called  out  a  voice  from  the  wood  behind ; 
and  in  a  moment  after,  the  aide-de-camp  appeared  with  a 
mounted  orderly. 

"  Colonel  Merivale  ?  "  said  he,  touching  his  cap  to  the 
stalwart,  soldier-like  figure  before  him. 

The  colonel  bowed. 

*^  Sir  Stapleton  Cotton  desires  me  to  request  that  at  an 
early  hoiir  to-morrow  you  will  occupy  the  pass,  and  cover 
the  march  of  the  troops.  It  is  his  wish  that  all  the  rein- 
forcements should  arrive  at  Oporto  by  noon.  I  need  scarcely 
add  that  we  expect  to  be  engaged  with  the  enemy." 


352  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

These  few  words  were  spoken  hurriedly,  and  again  sa- 
luting our  party,  he  turned  his  horse's  head  and  continued 
liis  way  towards  the  rear. 

"  There 's  news  for  you,  Charley,"  said  Power,  slapping  me 
on  the  shoulder.    "  Lucy  Dashwood  or  Westminster  Abbey  !  " 

"  The  regiment  was  never  in  finer  condition,  that 's  cer- 
tain," said  the  colonel,  "and  most  eager  for  a  brush  with 
the  enemy." 

"  How  your  old  friend,  the  count,  would  have  liked  this 
work  !  "  said  Hixley.    "  Gallant  fellow  he  was." 

"  Come,"  cried  Power,  "  here 's  a  fresh  bowl  coming.  Let 's 
drink  the  ladies,  wherever  they  be ;  we  most  of  us  have  some 
soft  spot  on  that  score." 

"  Yes,"  said  the  adjutant,  singing,  — 

"  Here's  to  the  maiden  of  lihTshing  fifteen  ; 
Here 's  to  the  damsel  tliat  's  merry; 
Here 's  to  the  flaunting  extravagant  quean  —  " 

"And,"  sang  Power,  interrupting, — 

"  Here 's  to  the  '  Widow  of  Derry.'  " 

"  Come,  come,  Fred,  no  more  quizzing  on  that  score.  It 's 
the  only  thing  ever  gives  me  a  distaste  to  the  service,  —  the 
souvenir  of  that  adventure.  When  I  reflect  what  I  might 
have  been,  and  think  what  I  am ;  when  I  contrast  a  Brus- 
sels carpet  wdth  wet  grass,  silk  hangings  with  a  canvas  tent, 
Sneyd's  claret  with  ration  brandy,  and  Sir  Arthur  for  a 
Commander-in-Chief  vice  Boggs,  a  widow  —  " 

"  Stop  there  ! "  cried  Hixley.  "  Without  disparaging  the 
fair  widow,  there 's  nothing  beats  campaigning,  after  all. 
Eh,  Pred  ?  " 

"And  to  prove  it,"  said  the  colonel,  "Power  Avill  sing  us 
a  song." 

Power  took  his  pencil  from  his  pocket,  and  placing  the 
back  of  a  letter  across  his  shako,  commenced  inditing  his 
lyric,  saying,  as  he  did  so,  "  I  'm  your  man  in  five  minutes. 
Just  fill  my  glass  in  the  mean  time." 

"  That  fellow  beats  Dibdin  hollow,"  whispered  the  adju- 
tant. "  I  '11  be  hanged  if  he  '11  not  knock  you  off  a  song  like 
li^fhtning." 


THE  BIVOUAC.  353 

"  I  understand,"  said  Hixley,  "  they  have  some  intention 
at  the  Horse  Guards  of  having  all  the  general  orders  set 
to  popular  tunes,  and  sung  at  every  mess  in  the  service. 
You've  heard  that,  I  suppose,  Sparks?" 

"  I  confess  I  had  not  before." 

"  It  will  certainly  come  very  hard  upon  the  subalterns," 
continued  Hixley,  with  much  gravity.  "They'll  have  to 
brush  up  their  sol  mi  fas.  All  the  solos  are  to  be  their 
part." 

"  What  rhymes  with  slaughter  ?  "  said  Power. 

"  Brandy-and-water,"  said  the  adjutant. 

"  ]^ow,  then,"  said  Power,  "  are  you  all  ready  ?  " 

"  Ready." 

"  You  must  chorus,  mind ;  and  mark  me,  take  care  you 
give  the  hip-hip-hurra  well,  as  that 's  the  whole  force  of  the 
chant.  Take  the  time  from  me.  Now  for  it.  Air,  *  Garry- 
owen/  with  spirit,  but  not  too  quick. 

"  Now  that  we  've  pledged  each  eye  of  blue, 
And  every  maiden  fair  and  true, 
And  our  green  island  home,  —  to  you 

The  ocean's  wave'  adorning, 
Let 's  give  one  Hip-hip-hip-hurra  ! 
And  drink  e'en  to  the  coming  day, 
When,  S(]^uadron  square, 
We  '11  all  be  there, 
To  meet  the  French  in  the  morning. 

**  May  his  bright  laurels  never  fade, 
Who  leads  our  fighting  fifth  brigade, 
Those  lads  so  true  in  heart  and  blade, 

And  famed  for  danger  scorning. 
So  join  me  in  one  Hip-hurra  ! 
And  drink  e'en  to  the  coming  day, 
When,  squadron  square, 
We '11  all  be  there. 
To  meet  the  French  in  the  morning. 

"  And  when  with  years  and  honors  crowTied, 
You  sit  some  homeward  hearth  around, 
And  hear  no  more  the  stirring  sound 

That  spoke  the  trumpet's  warning, 
VOL.  I.  —  23 


354  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

You  '11  fill  and  drink,  one  Hip-hurra! 
And  pledge  the  niemory  of  the  day, 

When,  squadron  square, 

They  all  were  there. 
To  meet  the  French  in  the  morning." 

"  Gloriously  done,  Fred  ! "  cried  Hixley.  "  If  I  ever  get 
my  deserts  in  this  world,  I'll  make  you  Laureate  to  the 
Forces,  with  a  hogshead  of  your  own  native  whiskey  for 
every  victory  of  the  army." 

"  A  devilish  good  chant,"  said  Merivale,  "  but  the  air  sur- 
passes anything  I  ever  heard,  —  thoroughly  Irish,  I  take  it." 

"  Irish  !  upon  my  conscience,  I  believe  you !  "  shouted 
O'Shaughnessy,  with  an  energy  of  voice  and  manner  that 
created  a  heai-ty  laugh  on  all  sides.  "  It 's  few  people  ever 
mistook  it  for  a  Venetian  melody.  Hand  over  the  punch,  — 
the  sherry,  I  mean.  When  I  was  in  the  Clare  militia,  we 
always  went  in  to  dinner  to  '  Tatter  Jack  Walsh,'  a  sweet 
air,  and  had  '  Garryowen'  for  a  quick-step.  Ould  M'Manus, 
when  he  got  the  regiment,  wanted  to  change  :  he  said,  they 
were  damned  vulgar  tunes,  and  wanted  to  have  '  Rule  Bri- 
tannia,' or  the  *  Hundredth  Psalm  ; '  biit  we  would  not  stand 
it ;  there  would  have  been  a  mutiny  in  the  corps." 

"The  same  fellow,  was  n't  he,  that  you  told  the  story  of, 
the  other  evening,  in  Lisbon?  "  said  I. 

"  The  same.  Well,  what  a  character  he  was !  As  pom 
pons  and  conceited  a  little  fellow  as  ever  you  met  with; 
and  then,  he  was  so  bullied  by  his  wife,  he  always  came 
down  to  revenge  it  on  the  regiment.  She  was  a  fine,  showy, 
vulgar  woman,  with  a  most  cherishing  affection  for  all  the 
good  things  in  this  life,  except  her  huslsand,  whom  she 
certainly  held  in  due  contempt.  '  Ye  little  crayture,'  she  'd 
say  to  him  with  a  sneer,  *  it  ill  becomes  you  to  drink  and 
sing,  and  be  making  a  man  of  yourself.  If  you  were  like 
O'Shaughnessy  there,  six  foot  three  in  his  stockings  — ' 
Well,  well,  it  looks  like  boasting ;  but  no  matter.  Here 's 
her  health,  anyway." 

"  I  knew  you  were  tender  in  that  quarter,"  said  Power, 
"  I  heard  it  when  quartered  in  Limerick." 

"May  be  you  heard,  too,  how  I  paid  off  Mac,  when  he 
came  down  on  a  visit  to  that  county  ?  " 


THE  BIVOUAC.  355 

**  Never  :  let 's  hear  it  now." 

''  Ay,  O'Shauglinessy,  now  's  your  time ;  tlie  fire 's  a  good 
one,  the  night  fine,  and  liquor  plenty." 

"  1  'm  convanient,'"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  as  depositing  his 
enormous  legs  on  each  side  of  the  burning  fagots,  and 
placing  a  bottle  between  his  knees  he  began  his  story :  — 

"  It  was  a  cold  rainy  night  in  January,  in  the  year  '98,  I 
took  my  place  in  the  Limerick  mail,  to  go  down  for  a  few 
days  to  the  west  country.  As  the  waiter  of  the  Hibernian 
came  to  the  door  with  a  lantern,  I  just  caught  a  glimpse  of 
the  other  insides  ;  none  of  whom  were  known  to  me,  except 
Colonel  M'Manus,  that  I  met  once  in  a  boarding-house  in 
Molesworth  Street.  I  did  not,  at  the  time,  think  him  a 
very  agreeable  companion ;  but  when  morning  broke,  and. 
we  began  to  pay  our  respects  to  each  other  in  the  coach, 
I  leaned  over,  and  said,  'I  hope  you're  well,  Colonel 
M'Manus,'  just  by  way  of  civility  like.  He  did  n't  hear  me 
at  first ;  so  that  I  said  it  again,  a  little  louder. 

"  I  wish  you  saw  the  look  he  gave  me  ;  he  drew  himself 
up  to  the  height  of  his  cotton  umbrella,  put  his  chin  inside 
his  cravat,  pursed  up  his  dry,  shrivelled  lips,  and  with  a 
voice  he  meant  to  be  awful,  replied  :  — 

"'You  appear  to  have  the  advantage  of  me.' 

" '  Upon  my  conscience,  you  're  right,'  said  I,  looking 
down  at  myself,  and  then  over  at  him,  at  which  the  other 
travellers  burst  out  a  laughing, —  '  I  think  there  's  few  will 
dispute  that  point.'  When  the  laugh  was  over,  I  resumed, 
—  for  I  was  determined  not  to  let  him  off  so  easily.  '  Sure 
I  met  you  at  Mrs.  Cayle's,'  said  I ;  '  and,  by  the  same  token, 
it  was  a  Friday,  I  remember  it  well,  —  may  be  you  did  n't 
pitch  into  the  salt  cod  ?  I  hope  it  did  n't  disagree  with 
you?' 

"'I  beg  to  repeat,  sir,  that  you  are  under  a  mistake,' 
said  he. 

"  '  May  be  so,  indeed,'  said  I.  '  May  be  you  're  not  Colonel 
M'Manus  at  all ;  ma^"  be  you  was  n't  in  a  passion  for  losing 
seven-and-sixpence  at  loo  with  Mrs.  Moriarty ;  may  be  you 
did  n't  break  the  lamp  in  the  hall  with  your  umbrella,  pre- 
tending you  touched  it  with  your  head,  and  was  n't  within 
three  foot  of  it ;  may  be  Counsellor  Brady  was  n't  going  to 


356  CHARLES  O'M.ULLEY, 

I^ut  you  in  the  ,box  of  the  Foundling  Hospital,  if  you 
would  n't  behave  quietly  in  the  streets  — ' 

"  Well,  with  this  the  others  lau,':^hed  so  heartily,  that  I 
could  not  go  on ;  and  the  next  stage  the  bold  colonel  got 
outside  Avith  the  guard  and  never  came  in  till  we  reached 
Limerick.  I  '11  never  forget  his  face,  as  he  got  down  at 
Swinburne's  Hotel.  *  Good-by,  Colonel,'  said  I ;  but  he 
would  n't  take  the  least  notice  of  my  politeness,  but  wdth  a 
frown  of  utter  defiance,  he  turned  on  his  heel  and  walked 
away. 

" '  I  have  n't  done  with  you  yet,'  says  I ;  and,  faith,  I 
kept  my  word. 

''I  hadn't  gone  ten  yards  down  the  street,  when  I  met 
my  old  friend  Darby  0' Grady. 

"  '  Shaugh,  my  boy,'  says  he,  —  he  called  me  that  way  for 
shortness,  —  '  dine  with  me  to-day  at  Mosey's ;  a  green 
goose  and  gooseberries  ;  six  to  a  minute.' 

"  *  Who  have  you  ?  '  says  I. 

"  '  Tom  Keane  and  the  Wallers,  a  counsellor  or  two,  and 
one  M'Manus,  from  Dublin.' 

"  '  The  colonel  ?  ' 

"  '  The  same,'  said  he. 

"  '  I  'm  there.  Darby  ! '  said  I ;  '  but  mind,  you  never  saw 
me  before.' 

"  '  What  ? '  said  he. 

"  '  You  never  set  eyes  on  me  before  ;  mind  that.' 

" '  I  understand,'  said  Darby,  with  a  wink ;  and  we  parted. 

"  I  certainly  was  never  very  particular  about  dressing  for 
dinner,  but  on  this  day  I  spent  a  considerable  time  at  my 
toilet ;  and  when  I  looked  in  my  glass  at  its  completion, 
was  well  satisfied  that  I  had  done  myself  justice.  A  waist- 
coat of  brown  rabbit-skin  with  flaps,  a  red  worsted  com- 
forter round  my  neck,  an  old  gray  shooting-jacket  with  a 
brown  patch  on  the  arm,  corduroys,  and  leather  gaiters,  with 
a  tremendous  oak  cudgel  in  my  hand,  made  me  a  most  j^re- 
sentable  figure  for  a  dinner  party. 

" '  Will  I  do.  Darby  ? '  says  I,  as  he  came  into  my  room 
before  dinner. 

"  *If  it 's  for  robbing  the  mail  you  are,'  says  he,  'nothing 
could  be  better.     Your  father  would  n't  know  you  1 ' 


THE  BIVOUAC.  357 

'^  'Would  I  be  the  better  of  a  wig  ?  ' 

" '  Leave  your  bair  alone,'  said  be.  '  It 's  painting  tbe 
lily  to  alter  it.' 

" '  Well,  God's  will  be  done,'  says  I,  '  so  come  now.' 

"Well,  just  as  tbe  clock  struck  six  I  saw  tbe  colonel 
coming  out  of  bis  room,  in  a  suit  of  most  accurate  sable, 
stockings,  and  pumps.  Down-stairs  be  went,  and  I  beard 
tbe  waiter  announce  bim. 

" '  Now 's  my  time/  tbougbt  I,  as  I  followed  slowly 
after. 

"  Wben  I  reached  tbe  door  I  beard  several  voices  within, 
among  which  I  recognized  some  ladies.  Darby  bad  not  told 
me  about  them.  '  But  no  matter,'  said  I ;  '  it 's  all  as  well ; ' 
so  I  gave  a  gentle  tap  at  the  door  with  my  knuckles. 

"  '  Come  in,'  said  Darby. 

"  I  opened  tbe  door  slowly,  and  putting  in  only  my  bead 
and  shoulders  took  a  cautious  look  round  tbe  room. 

"  '  I  beg  pardon,  gentlemen,'  said  I,  '  but  I  was  only  look- 
ing for  one  Colonel  M'Manus,  and  as  he  is  not  here  — ' 

"'Pray  walk  in,  sir,'  said  O'Grady,  with  a  polite  bow. 
'  Colonel  M'Manus  is  here.  There  's  no  intrusion  whatever. 
I  say.  Colonel,'  said  he  turning  round,  '  a  gentleman  here 
desires  to  — ' 

"  '  Never  mind  it  now,'  said  I,  as  I  stepped  cautiously 
into  the  room,  '  he  's  going  to  dinner ;  another  time  will  do 
just  as  well.' 

" '  Pray  come  in  ! ' 

"  *  I  could  not  think  of  intruding  — ' 

" '  I  must  protest,'  said  M'Manus,  coloring  up,  '  that  I 
cannot  understand  this  gentleman's  visit.' 

"  'It  is  a  little  affair  I  have  to  settle  with  him,'  said  I, 
Avith  a  fierce  look  that  I  saw  produced  its  effect. 

" '  Then  perhaps  you  would  do  me  tbe  very  great  favor 
to  join  bim  at  dinner,'  said  O'Grady.  'An}^  friend  of 
Colonel  M'Manus  — ' 

" '  You  are  really  too  good,'  said  I ;  '  but  as  an  utter 
stranger  — ' 

"  '  Never  think  of  that  for  a  moment.  My  friend's  friend, 
as  the  adage  says.' 

"  '  Upon  my  conscience,  a  good  saying,'  said  I,  '  but  you 


358  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

see  there  's  another  difficulty.  I  've  ordered  a  chop  and 
potatoes  vip  in  No.  5.' 

"  <  Let  that  be  no  obstacle,'  said  O'Grady.  '  The  waiter 
shall  put  it  in  my  bill ;  if  you  will  only  do  me  the  pleasure.' 

" '  You  're  a  trump,'  said  I.     '  What 's  your  name  ?  ' 

"  '  O'Grady,  at  your  service.' 

" '  Any  relation  of  the  counsellor  ? '  said  I.  '  They  're  all 
one  family,  the  O'Gradys.  I  'm  Mr.  O'Shaughnessy,  from 
Enuis  ;  won't  you  introduce  me  to  the  ladies  ?  ' 

"While  the  ceremony  of  presentation  was  going  on  I 
caught  one  glance  at  M'Manus,  and  had  hard  work  not  to 
roar  out  laughing.  Such  an  expression  of  surprise,  amaze- 
ment, indignation,  rage,  and  misery  never  was  mixed  up  in 
one  face  before.  Speak  he  could  not ;  and  I  saw  that,  ex- 
cept for  myself,  he  had  neither  eyes,  ears,  nor  senses  for 
anything  around  him.  Just  at  this  moment  dinner  was 
announced,  and  in  we  went.  I  never  was  in  such  spirits  in 
my  life  ;  the  trick  upon  M'Manus  had  succeeded  perfectly  ; 
he  believed  in  his  heart  that  I  had  never  met  O'Grady  in  my 
life  before,  and  that  upon  the  faith  of  our  friendship,  I  had 
received  my  invitation.  As  for  me,  I  spared  him  but  little. 
I  kept  up  a  running  fire  of  droll  stories,  had  the  ladies  in 
fits  of  laughing,  made  everlasting  allusions  to  the  colonel ; 
and,  in  a  word,  ere  the  soup  had  disappeared,  except  him- 
self, the  company  was  entirely  with  me. 

"  '  O'Grady,'  said  I,  *  forgive  the  freedom,  but  I  feel  as  if 
we  were  old  acquaintances.' 

"  '  As  Colonel  M'Manus's  friend,'  said  he,  '  you  can  take 
no  liberty  here  to  which  you  are  not  perfectly  welcome.' 

" '  Just  what  I  expected,'  said  I.  '  Mac  and  I,'  —  I  wish 
you  saw  his  face  when  I  called  him  Mac,  — '  jVIac  and  I 
were  schoolfellows  five-and-thirty  years  ago ;  though  he 
forgets  me,  I  don't  forget  him,  —  to  be  sure  it  would  be  hard 
for  me.  I  'm  just  thinking  of  the  day  Bishop  Oulahan 
came  over  to  visit  the  college.  Mac  was  coming  in  at  the 
door  of  the  refectory  as  the  bishop  was  going  out.  "  Take 
off  your  caubeen,  you  young  scoundrel,  and  kneel  down  for 
his  reverence  to  bless  you,"  said  one  of  the  masters,  giving 
his  hat  a  blow  at  the  same  moment  that  sent  it  flying  to 
the  other  end  of  the  room,  and  with  it,  about  twenty  ripe 


THE   BIVOUAC. 


559 


pears  that  Mac  had  just  stolen  in  the  orchard,  and  had  in 
his  hat.  I  wish  you  only  saw  the  bishop ;  and  Mac  him- 
self, he  was  a  picture.  Well,  well,  you  forget  it  all  now, 
but  I  remember  it  as  if  it  was  only  yesterday.  Any  cham- 
pagne, Mr.  O'Grady  ?     I  'm  mighty  dry.' 

"  *  Of  course,'  said  Darby.  '  Waiter,  some  champagne 
here.' 

" '  Ah,  it 's  himself  was  the  boy  for  every  kind  of  fun 


and  devilment,  quiet  and  demure  as  he  looks  over  there. 
Mac,  your  health.  It 's  not  every  day  of  the  week  we  get 
champagne.' 

"  He  laid  down  his  knife  and  fork  as  I  said  this ;  his  face 
and  temples  grew  deep  purple ;  his  eyes  started  as  if  they 
would  spring  from  his  head ;  and  he  put  both  his  hands  to 
his  forehead,  as  if  trying  to  assure  himself  that  it  was  not 
some  horrid  dream. 

'••'A  little  slice  more  of  the  turkey,'  said  I,  'and  then, 


S60  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

O'Grady,  I  '11  try  your  hock.  It 's  a  wine  I  'm  miglity  fond 
of,  and  so  is  INIac  there.  Oh,  it 's  seldom,  to  tell  you  the 
truth,  it  troubles  us.  There,  fill  up  the  glass  ;  that 's  it. 
Here  now,  Darby,  —  that 's  your  name,  I  think,  — you  '11  not 
think  I  'm  taking  a  liberty  in  giving  a  toast  ?  Here  then, 
I  '11  give  M'Manus's  health,  with  all  the  honors ;  though 
it 's  early  yet,  to  be  sure,  but  we  '11  do  it  again,  by-and-by, 
when  the  whiskey  comes.  Here 's  M'Manus's  good  health ; 
and  though  his  wife,  they  say,  does  not  treat  him  well,  and 
keeps  him  down  — ' 

"The  roar  of  laughing  that  interrupted  me  here  was 
produced  by  the  expression  of  poor  Mac's  face.  He  had 
started  up  from  the  table,  and  leaning  with  both  his  hands 
upon  it,  stared  round  upon  the  company  like  a  maniac,  — 
his  mouth  and  eyes  wide  open,  and  his  hair  actually  brist- 
ling with  amazement.  Thus  he  remained  for  a  full  minute, 
gasping  like  a  fish  in  a  landing-net.  It  seemed  a  hard 
struggle  for  him  to  believe  he  was  not  deranged.  At  last 
his  eyes  fell  upon  me ;  he  uttered  a  deeji  groan,  and  with  a 
voice  tremulous  with  rage,  thundered  out,  — 

"  '  The  scoundrel !  I  never  saw  him  before.' 

"  He  rushed  from  the  room,  and  gained  the  street.  Be- 
fore our  roar  of  laughter  was  over  he  had  secured  post- 
horses,  and  was  galloping  towards  Ennis  at  the  top  speed 
of  his  cattle, 

"  He  exchanged  at  once  into  the  line ;  but  they  say  that  he 
caught  a  glimpse  of  my  name  in  the  army  list,  and  sold  out 
the  next  morning ;  be  that  as  it  may,  we  never  met  since." 

I  have  related  O'Shaughnessy's  story  here,  rather  from  the 
memory  I  have  of  how  we  all  laughed  at  it  at  the  time,  than 
from  any  feeling  as  to  its  real  desert ;  but  when  I  think  of 
the  voice,  look,  accent,  and  gesture  of  the  narrator,  I  can 
scarcely  keep  myself  from  again  giving  way  to  laughter. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

THE    DOURO. 

Xk\'er  did  the  morning  break  more  beautifully  than  on 
the  12th  of  May,  1809.  Huge  masses  of  fog-like  vapor  had 
succeeded  to  the  starry,  cloudless  night,  but  one  by  one, 
they  moved  onwards  towards  the  sea,  disclosing  as  they 
passed  long  tracts  of  lovely  country,  bathed  in  a  rich 
golden  glow.  The  broad  Douro,  with  its  transparent  cur- 
rent, shone  out  like  a  bright-colored  ribbon,  meandering 
through  the  deep  garment  of  fairest  green ;  the  darkly 
shadowed  mountains  which  closed  the  background  loomed 
even  larger  than  they  were ;  while  their  summits  were 
tipped  with  the  yellow  glory  of  the  morning.  The  air 
was  calm  and  still,  and  the  very  smoke  that  arose  from  the 
peasant's  cot  labored  as  it  ascended  through  the  perfumed 
air,  and  save  the  ripple  of  the  stream,  all  was  silent  as  the 
grave. 

The  squadron  of  the  14th,  with  which  I  was,  had  diverged 
from  the  road  beside  the  river,  and  to  obtain  a  shorter  path, 
had  entered  the  skirts  of  a  dark  pine  wood ;  our  pace  was 
a  sharp  one ;  an  orderly  had  been  already  despatched  to 
hasten  our  arrival,  and  we  pressed  on  at  a  brisk  trot.  In 
less  than  an  hour  we  reached  the  verge  of  the  wood,  and 
as  we  rode  out  upon  the  plain,  what  a  spectacle  met  our 
eyes  !  Before  us,  in  a  narrow  valley  separated  from  the 
river  by  a  low  ridge,  were  picketed  three  cavalry  regi- 
ments ;  their  noiseless  gestures  and  perfect  stillness  be- 
speaking at  once  that  they  were  intended  for  a  surprise 
party.  Farther  down  the  stream,  and  upon  the  opposite 
side,  rose  the  massive  towers  and  tall  spires  of  Oporto, 
displaying  from  their  summits  the  broad  ensign  of  France ; 
while  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  the  broad  dark  masses  of 
troops  might  be  seen ;  the  intervals  between  their  columns 
glittering   with   the   bright   equipments  of   their   cavalry, 


3G2  CHARLES  O'aiALLEY. 

whose  steel  caps  and  lances  were  sparkling  in  the  sun- 
beams. The  bivouac  hres  were  still  smouldering,  and  mark- 
ing where  some  part  of  the  army  had  passed  the  night ;  for 
early  as  it  was,  it  was  evident  that  their  position  had  been 
changed ;  and  even  now,  the  heavy  masses  of  dark  infantry 
might  be  seen  moving  from  place  to  place,  while  the  long 
line  of  the  road  to  Vallonga  was  marked  with  a  vast  cloud 
of  dust.  The  Frencli  drum  and  the  light  infantry  bugle 
told,  from  time  to  time,  that  orders  were  passing  among  the 
troops  ;  while  the  glittering  uniform  of  a  staff  officer,  as  he 
galloped  from  the  town,  bespoke  the  note  of  preparation. 

"  Dismount !  Steady ;  quietly,  my  lads,"  said  the  colonel, 
as  he  alighted  upon  the  grass.  ''  Let  the  men  have  their 
breakfast." 

The  little  amphitheatre  we  occupied  hid  us  entirely  from 
all  observation  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  but  equally  so 
excluded  us  from  perceiving  their  movements.  It  may 
readily  be  supposed  then,  with  what  impatience  we  waited 
here,  while  the  din  and  clangor  of  the  French  force,  as 
they  marched  and  countermarched  so  near  us,  were  clearly 
audible.  The  orders  were,  however,  strict  that  none  should 
approach  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  we  lay  anxiously 
awaiting  the  moment  when  this  inactivity  should  cease. 
More  than  one  orderly  had  arrived  among  us,  bearing  de- 
spatches from  headquarters ;  but  where  our  main  body 
was,  or  what  the  nature  of  the  orders,  no  one  could  guess. 
As  for  me,  my  excitement  was  at  its  height,  and  I  could 
not  speak  for  the  very  tension  of  my  nerves.  The  officers 
stood  in  little  groups  of  two  and  three,  whispering  anx- 
iously together  ;  but  all  I  could  collect  was,  that  Soult  had 
already  begun  his  retreat  upon  Amarante,  and  that,  with 
the  broad  stream  of  the  Douro  between  us,  he  defied  our 
pi;rsnit. 

"Well,  Charley,"  said  Power,  laying  his  arm  upon  my 
shoulder,  "the  French  have  given  us  the  slip  this  time; 
they  are  already  in  march,  and  even  if  we  dared  force  a 
passage  in  the  face  of  such  an  enemy,  it  seems  there  is 
not  a  boat  to  be  found.     I  have  just  seen  Hammersley." 

"  Indeed  !    Where  is  he  ?  "  said  I. 

"  He 's  gone  back  to  Villa  de  Conde  ;  he  asked  after  you 


THE   DOURO.  363 

most  particularly.  Don't  blush,  man ;  I  'd  rather  back  your 
chance  than  his,  notwithstanding  the  long  letter  that  Lucy 
sends  him.  Poor  fellow,  he  has  been  badly  wounded,  but, 
it  seems,  declines  going  back  to  England." 

"Captain  Power,"  said  an  orderly,  touching  his  cap, 
"  General  Murray  desires  to  see  you." 

Power  hastened  away,  but  returned  in  a  few  moments. 

"  I  say,  Charley,  there 's  something  in  the  wind  here. 
I  have  just  been  ordered  to  try  where  the  stream  is  ford- 
able.  I've  mentioned  your  name  to  the  general,  and  I 
think  you  '11  be  sent  for  soon.     Good-by." 

I  buckled  on  my  sword,  and  looking  to  my  girths,  stood 
watching  the  groups  iaround  me ;  when  suddenly  a  dragoon 
pulled  his  horse  short  up,  and  asked  a  man  near  me  if  Mr. 
O'Malley  was  there. 

"  Yes  ;  I  am  he." 

"Orders  from  General  Murray,  sir,"  said  the  man,  and 
rode  off  at  a  canter. 

I  opened  and  saw  that  the  despatch  was  addressed  to 
Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  with  the  mere  words,  "  With  haste  !  " 
on  the  envelope. 

Xow,  which  way  to  turn  I  knew  not ;  so  springing  into  the 
saddle,  I  galloped  to  where  Colonel  Me  ri vale  was  standing 
talking  to  the  colonel  of  a  heavy  dragoon  regiment. 

"  ]\Iay  I  ask,  sir,  by  which  road  I  am  to  proceed  with 
this  despatch  ?  " 

"  Along  the  river,  sir,"  said  the  heavy ,  a  large  dark- 
browed  man,  with  a  most  forbidding  look.  "  You  '11  soon 
see  the  troops ;  you  'd  better  stir  yourself,  sir,  or  Sir  Arthur 
is  not  very  likely  to  be  pleased  with  you." 

"Without  venturing  a  reply  to  what  I  felt  a  somewhat 
unnecessary  taunt,  I  dashed  spurs  into  my  horse,  and 
turned  towards  the  river.  I  had  not  gained  the  bank 
above  a  minute,  when  the  loud  ringing  of  a  rifle  struck 
upon  my  ear ;  bang  went  another,  and  another.  I  hurried 
on,  however,  at  the  top  of  my  speed,  thinking  only  of  my 
mission  and  its  pressing  haste.  As  I  turned  an  angle  of 
the  stream,  the  vast  column  of  the  British  came  in  sight, 
and  scarcely  had  my  eye  rested  upon  them  when  my  horse 
staggered  forwards,  plunged  twice  with  his  head  nearly  to 


3G4  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

the  earth,  and  then,  rearing  madly  up,  fell  backwards  to 
the  ground.  Crushed  and  bruised  as  I  felt  by  my  fall, 
I  was  soon  aroused  to  the  necessity  of  exertion  ;  for  as 
I  disengaged  myself  from  the  poor  beast,  I  discovered  he 
had  been  killed  by  a  bullet  in  the  counter  ;  and  scarcely 
had  I  recovered  my  legs  when  a  shot  struck  my  shako  and 
grazed  my  temples.  I  quickly  threw  myself  to  the  ground, 
and  creeping  on  for  some  yards,  reached  at  last  some  rising 
ground,  from  which  I  rolled  gently  downwards  into  a  little 
declivity,  sheltered  by  the  bank  from  the  French  fire. 

When  I  arrived  at  headquarters,  I  was  dreadfully 
fatigued  and  heated ;  but  resolving  not  to  rest  till  I  had 
delivered  my  despatches,  I  hastened  towards  the  convent  of 
La  Sierra,  where  I  was  told  the  commander-in-chief  was. 

As  I  came  into  the  court  of  the  convent,  filled  with  gen- 
eral officers  and  people  of  the  staff,  I  was  turning  to  ask 
how  I  should  proceed,  when  Hixley  caught  my  eye. 

''  Well,  O'Malley,  what  brings  you  here  ?  " 

"Despatches  from  General  Murray." 

"  Indeed ;  oh,  follow  me." 

He  hurried  me  rapidly  through  the  buzzing  crowd,  and 
ascending  a  large  gloomy  stair,  introduced  me  into  a  room, 
where  about  a  dozen  persons  in  uniform  were  writing  at 
a  long  deal  table. 

"  Captain  Gordon,"  said  he,  addressing  one  of  them, 
"  despatches  requiring  immediate  attention  have  just  been 
brought  by  this  officer," 

Before  the  sentence  was  finished  the  door  opened,  and  a 
short,  slight  man,  in  a  gray  undress  coat,  with  a  white 
cravat  and  a  cocked  hat,  entered.  The  dead  silence  that 
ensued  was  not  necessary  to  assure  me  that  he  was  one  in 
authority,  —  the  look  of  command  his  bold,  stern  features 
presented  ;  the  sharp,  piercing  eye,  the  compressed  lip,  the 
impressive  expression  of  the  whole  face,  told  plainly  that  he 
was  one  who  held  equally  himself  and  othejrs  in  mastery. 

"Send  General  Sherbroke  here,"  said  he  to  an  aide-de- 
camp. "  Let  the  light  brigade  march  into  position ; "  and 
then  turning  suddenly  to  me,  "Whose  despatches  are 
these  ? " 

"  General  Murray's,  sir." 


THE  DOURO.  365 

I  needed  no  more  than  that  look  to  assure  me  that  this 
was  he  of  whom  I  had  heard  so  much,  and  of  whom  the 
world  was  still  to  hear  so  much  more. 

He  opened  them  quickly,  and  glancing  his  eye  across  the 
contents,  crushed  the  paper  in  his  hand.  Just  as  he  did  so, 
a  spot  of  blood  upon  the  envelope  attracted  his  attention. 

"  How 's  this,  —  are  you  wounded  ?  " 

"  No,  sir  ;  my  horse  was  killed  —  " 

"  Very  well,  sir ;  join  your  brigade.  But  stay,  I  shall 
have  orders  for  you.     Well,  Waters,  what  news  ?  " 

This  question  was  addressed  to  an  officer  in  a  staff  uni- 
form, who  entered  at  the  moment,  followed  by  the  short 
and  bulky  figure  of  a  monk,  his  shaven  crown  and  large 
cassock  strongly  contrasting  with  the  gorgeous  glitter  of 
the  costumes  around  him. 

"  I  say,  who  have  we  here  ?  " 

"  The  Prior  of  Amarante,  sir,"  replied  Waters,  "  who  has 
just  come  over.  We  have  already,  by  his  aid,  secured 
three  large  barges  —  " 

"  Let  the  artillery  take  up  position  in  the  convent  at 
once,"  said  Sir  Arthur,  interrupting.  ''The  boats  will  be 
brought  round  to  the  small  creek  beneath  the  orchard. 
You,  sir,"  turning  to  me,  "will  convey  to  General  Mur- 
ray —  but  you  appear  weak.  You,  Gordon,  will  desire 
IVIurray  to  effect  a  crossing  at  Avintas  with  the  Germans 
and  the  14th.  Sherbroke's  division  will  occupy  the  Villa 
Nuova.     What  number  of  men  can  that  seminary  take  ?  " 

"  From  three  to  four  hundred,  sir.  The  padre  mentions 
that  all  the  vigilance  of  the  enemy  is  limited  to  the  river 
below  the  town." 

"I  perceive  it,"  was  the  short  reply  of  Sir  Arthur,  as 
placing  his  hands  carelessly  behind  his  back,  he  walked 
towards  the  window,  and  looked  out  upon  the  river. 

All  was  still  as  death  in  the  chamber ;  not  a  lip  mur- 
mured. The  feeling  of  respect  for  him  in  whose  presence 
we  were  standing  checked  every  thought  of  utterance ; 
while  the  stupendous  gravity  of  the  events  before  us  en- 
grossed every  mind  and  occupied  every  heart.  I  was  stand- 
ing near  the  window ;  the  effect  of  my  fall  had  stunned  me 
for  a  time,  but  I  was  gradually  recovering,  and  watched 


366  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

with  a  thrilling  heart  the  scene  before  me.  Great  and 
absorbing  as  was  my  interest  in  what  was  passing  witliont, 
it  was  nothing  compared  with  what  I  felt  as  I  looked  at 
him  upon  whom  our  destiny  was  then  hanging.  I  had 
ample  time  to  scan  his  features  and  canvass  their  every 
lineament.  Never  before  did  I  look  upon  such  perfect 
impassibility ;  the  cold,  determined  expression  was  crossed 
by  no  show  of  passion  or  impatience.  All  was  rigid  and 
motionless,  and  whatever  might  have  been  the  workings  of 
the  spirit  within,  certainly  no  external  sign  betrayed  them  ; 
and  yet  what  a  moment  for  him  must  that  have  been  ! 
Before  him,  separated  by  a  deep  and  rapid  river,  lay  the 
conquering  legions  of  France,  led  on  by  one  second  alone 
to  him  whose  very  name  had  been  the  prestige  of  victory. 
Unprovided  with  every  regular  means  of  transport,  in  the 
broad  glare  of  day,  in  open  defiance  of  their  serried  ranks 
and  tliundering  artillery,  he  dared  the  deed.  What  must 
have  been  his  confidence  in  the  soldiers  he  commanded! 
What  must  have  been  his  reliance  upon  his  own  genius  ! 
As  such  thoughts  rushed  through  my  mind,  the  door 
opened  and  an  officer  entered  hastih^,  and  whisj)ering  a 
few  words  to  Colonel  Waters,  left  the  room. 

"  One  boat  is  already  brought  up  to  the  crossing-place, 
and  entirely  concealed  by  the  wall  of  the  orchard." 

"  Let  the  men  cross,"  was  the  brief  reply. 

No  other  word  was  sj^oken  as,  turning  from  the  window, 
he  closed  his  telescope,  and  followed  by  all  the  others, 
descended  to  the  courtyard. 

This  simple  order  was  enough ;  an  officer  with  a  company 
of  the  Buffs  embarked,  and  thus  began  the  passage  of  the 
Douro. 

So  engrossed  was  I  in  my  vigilant  observation  of  our 
leader,  that  I  would  gladly  have  remained  at  the  convent, 
when  I  received  an  order  to  join  my  brigade,  to  which  a 
detachment  of  artillery  was  already  proceeding. 

As  I  reached  Avintas  all  was  in  motion.  The  cavalry 
was  in  readiness  beside  the  river ;  but  as  yet  no  boats  had 
been  discovered,  and  such  was  the  impatience  of  the  men 
to  cross,  it  was  with  difficulty  they  were  prevented  trying 
the  passage  by  swimming,  when  suddenly  Power  appeared 


THE   DOURO.  367 

followed  by  several  fishermen.  Three  or  four  small  skiffs 
had  been  found,  half  sunk  in  mud,  among  the  rushes,  and 
with  such  frail  assistance  we  commenced  to  cross. 

"  There  will  be  something  to  write  home  to  Galway  soon, 
Charley,  or  I  'm  terribly  mistaken,"  said  Fred,  as  he  sprang 
into  the  boat  beside  me.  "■  Was  I  not  a  true  prophet  when 
I  told  you  '  We  'd  meet  the  French  in  the  morning  ? '  " 

"  They  're  at  it  already,"  said  Hixley,  as  a  wreath  of  blue 
smoke  floated  across  the  stream  below  us,  and  the  loud  boom 
of  a  large  gun  resounded  through  the  air. 

Then  came  a  deafening  shout,  followed  by  a  rattling  volley 
of  small  arms,  gradually  swelling  into  a  hot  sustained  fire, 
through  which  the  cannon  pealed  at  intervals.  Several  large 
meadows  lay  along  the  river-side,  where  our  brigade  was 
drawn  up  as  the  detachments  landed  from  the  boats  ;  and 
here,  although  nearly  a  league  distant  from  the  town,  we 
now  heard  the  din  and  crash  of  battle,  which  increased  every 
moment.  The  cannonade  from  the  Sierra  convent,  which  at 
first  was  merely  the  fire  of  single  guns,  now  thundered  away  in 
one  long  roll,  amidst  which  the  sounds  of  falling  walls  and 
crashing  roofs  were  mingled.  It  was  evident  to  us,  from  the 
continual  fire  kept  up,  that  the  landing  had  been  effected ; 
while  the  swelling  tide  of  musketry  told  that  fresh  troops 
were  momentarily  coming  up. 

In  less  than  twenty  minutes  our  brigade  was  formed,  and 
we  now  only  waited  for  two  light  four-pounders  to  be  landed, 
when  an  officer  galloped  up  in  haste,  and  called  out,  — 

"  The  French  are  in  retreat ! "  and  pointing  at  the  same 
moment  to  the  Vallonga  road,  we  saw  a  long  line  of  smoke 
and  dust  leading  from  the  town,  through  which,  as  we 
gazed,  the  colors  of  the  enemy  might  be  seen  as  they  defiled, 
while  the  unbroken  lines  of  the  wagons  and  heavy  baggage 
proved  that  it  was  no  partial  movement,  but  the  army  itself 
retreating. 

"  Fourteenth,  threes  about !  close  up !  trot ! "  called  out  the 
loud  and  manly  voice  of  our  leader,  and  the  heavy  tramp  of 
our  squadrons  shook  the  very  ground  as  we  advanced  towards 
the  road  to  Vallonga. 

As  we  came  on,  the  scene  became  one  of  overwhelming 
excitement ;  the  masses  of  the  enemy  that  poured  unceas- 


o6S  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

ingly  from  the  town  could  now  be  distinguished  more 
clearly ;  and  amidst  all  the  crash  of  gun-carriages  and 
caissons,  the  voices  of  the  staff  officers  rose  high  as  they 
liurried  along  the  retreating  battalions.  A  troop  of  flying 
artillery  galloped  forth  at  top  speed,  and  wheeling  their  guns 
into  position  with  the  speed  of  lightning,  prepared,  by  a 
flaidving  fire,  to  cover  the  retiring  column.  The  gunners 
sprang  from  their  seats,  the  guns  were  already  unlimbered, 
when  Sir  George  Murray,  riding  up  at  our  left,  called 
out,  — 

"  Forward !  close  up  !     Charge  !  " 

The  word  was  scarcely  spoken  when  the  loud  cheer  an- 
swered the  welcome  sound,  and  the  same  instant  the  long 
line  of  shining  helmets  passed  with  the  speed  of  a  whirl- 
wind ;  the  pace  increased  at  every  stride,  the  ranks  grew 
closer,  and  like  the  dread  force  of  some  mighty  engine  we 
fell  upon  the  foe.  I  have  felt  all  the  glorious  enthusiasm 
of  a  fox-hunt,  when  the  loud  cry  of  the  hounds,  answered 
by  the  cheer  of  the  joyous  huntsman,  stirred  the  very  heart 
within,  but  never  till  now  did  I  know  how  far  higher  the 
excitement  reaches,  when  man  to  man,  sabre  to  sabre,  arm 
to  arm,  we  ride  forward  to  the  battle-field.  On  we  went, 
the  loud  shout  of  "Forward!"  still  ringing  in  our  ears. 
One  broken,  irregular  discharge  from  the  French  guns  shook 
the  head  of  our  advancing  column,  but  stayed  us  not  as  we 
galloped  madly  on. 

I  remember  no  more.     The  din,  the  smoke,  the  crash,  the 
cry  for  quarter,  mingled  with  the  shout  of  victory,  the  flying 
enemy,  the  agonizing  shrieks  of  the  wounded,  —  all  are  co'~ 
mingled  in  my  mind,  but  leave  no  trace  of  clearness  or  c 
nection  between  them;  and  it  was  only  when  the  colum. 
wheeled  to  reform  behind  the  advancing  squadrons,  that  I 
awoke  from  my  trance  of  maddening  excitement,  and  per- 
ceived that  we  had  carried  the  position  and  cut  off  the  guns 
of  the  enemy. 

"Well  done,  14th!"  said  an  old  gray-headed  colonel,  as 
he  rode  along  our  line,  —  "  gallantly  done,  lads  !  "  The 
blood  trickled  from  a  sabre  cut  on  his  temple,  along  his 
cheek,  as  he  spoke  ;  but  he  either  knew  it  not  or  heeded 
it  not. 


THE  DOURO.  369 

"  There  go  the  Germans  !  "  said  Power,  pointing  to  the 
remainder  of  our  brigade,  as  tliey  charged  furiously  upon 
the  French  infantry,  and  rode  them  down  in  masses. 

Our  guns  came  up  at  this  time,  and  a  plunging  fire  was 
opened  upon  the  thick  and  retreating  ranks  of  the  enemy. 
The  carnage  must  have  been  terrific,  for  the  long  breaches 
in  their  lines  showed  where  the  squadrons  of  the  cavalry 
had  passed,  or  the  most  destructive  tide  of  the  artillery  had 
swept  through  them.  The  speed  of  the  flying  columns  grew 
momentarily  more ;  the  road  became  blocked  up,  too,  by 
broken  carriages  and  wounded ;  and  to  add  to  their  discom- 
fiture, a  damaging  fire  now  opened  from  the  town  upon  the 
retreating  column,  while  the  brigade  of  Guards  and  the  29th 
pressed  hotly  on  their  rear. 

The  scene  was  now  beyond  anything  maddening  in  its 
interest.  From  the  walls  of  Oporto  the  English  infantry 
poured  forth  in  pursuit,  while  the  whole  river  was  covered 
with  boats  as  they  still  continued  to  cross  over.  The  ar- 
tillery thundered  from  the  Sierra  to  protect  the  landing,  for 
it  was  even  still  contested  in  places  ;  and  the  cavalry,  charg- 
ing in  flank,  swept  the  broken  ranks  and  bore  down  upon 
the  squares. 

It  was  now,  when  the  full  tide  of  victory  ran  highest  in 
our  favor,  that  we  were  ordered  to  retire  from  the  road. 
Column  after  column  passed  before  ns,  unmolested  and 
unassailed,  and  not  even  a  cannon-shot  arrested  their  steps. 

Some  unaccountable  timidity  of  our  leader  directed  this 
movement ;  and  while  before  our  very  eyes  the  gallant  in- 
fantry were  charging  the  retiring  columns,  we  remained  still 
and  inactive. 

How  little  did  the  sense  of  praise  we  had  already  won 
repay  us  for  the  shame  and  indignation  we  experienced  at 
this  moment,  as  with  burning  cheek  and  compressed  lip  we 
watched  the  retreating  files.  "  What  can  he  mean  ?  "  ''  Is 
there  not  some  mistake  ?  "  "  Are  we  never  to  charge  ?  " 
"were  the  muttered  questions  around,  as  a  staff  officer  gal- 
loped up  with  the  order  to  take  ground  still  farther  back, 
and  nearer  to  the  river. 

The  word  was  scarcely  spoken  when  a  young  officer,  in 
the  uniform  of  a  general,  dashed  impetuously  up ;  he  held 
VOL.  I.  —  24 


370  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

his  plumed  cap  high,  above  his  head,  as  he  called  out,  "  14th, 
follow  me  !     Left  face  !  wheel !  charge  ! " 

So,  with  the  word,  we  were  upon  them.  The  French  rear- 
guard was  at  this  moment  at  the  narrowest  part  of  the  road, 
Avhich  opened  by  a  bridge  upon  a  large  open  space ;  so  that, 
forming  with  a  narrow  front  and  favored  by  a  declivity  in 
the  ground,  we  actually  rode  them  down.  Twice  the  French 
formed,  and  twice  were  they  broken.  Meanwhile  the  car- 
nage Avas  dreadful  on  both  sides,  our  fellows  dashing  madly 
forward  where  the  ranks  were  thickest,  the  enemy  resisting 
with  the  stubborn  courage  of  men  fighting  for  their  last  spot 
of  ground.  So  impetuous  was  the  charge  of  our  squadrons, 
that  we  stopped  not  till,  piercing  the  dense  column  of  the 
retreating  mass,  we  reached  the  open  ground  beyond.  Here 
we  wheeled  and  prepared  once  more  to  meet  them,  when 
suddenly  some  squadrons  of  cuirassiers  debouched  from  the 
road,  and  supported  by  a  field-piece,  showed  front  against 
us.  This  was  the  :noment  that  the  remainder  of  our  brigade 
should  have  come  to  our  aid,  but  not  a  man  appeared.  How- 
ever, there  was  not  an  instant  to  be  lost ;  already  the  plunging 
fire  of  the  four-pounder  had  swept  through  our  files,  and 
every  moment  increased  our  danger. 

"  Once  more,  my  lads,  forward ! "  cried  out  our  gallant 
leader.  Sir  Charles  Stewart,  as  waving  his  sabre,  he  dashed 
into  the  thickest  of  the  fray. 

So  sudden  was  our  charge  that  we  were  upon  them  before 
they  were  prepared.  And  here  ensued  a  terrific  struggle ; 
for  as  the  cavalry  of  the  enemy  gave  way  before  us,  we  came 
upon  the  close  ranks  of  the  infantry  at  half-pistol  distance, 
who  poured  a  withering  volley  into  us  as  we  approached. 
But  what  could  arrest  the  sweeping  torrent  of  our  brave 
fellows,  though  every  moment  falling  in  numbers  ? 

Harvey,  our  major,  lost  his  arm  near  the  shoulder. 
Scarcely  an  officer  was  not  wounded.  Power  received  a 
deep  sabre-cut  in  the  cheek  from  an  aide-de-camp  of  General 
Foy,  in  return  for  a  wound  he  gave  the  general ;  while  I,  in 
my  endeavor  to  save  General  Laborde  when  unhorsed,  was 
cut  down  through  the  helmet,  and  so  stunned  that  I  remem- 
bered no  more  around  me.  I  kept  my  saddle,  it  is  true,  but 
I  lost  every  sense  of  consciousness,  my  first  glimmering  of 


THE   DOURO.  371 

reason  coming  to  my  aid  as  I  lay  upon  the  river  bank  and 
felt  my  faithful  follower  Mike  bathing  my  temples  with 
water,  as  he  kept  up  a  running  fire  of  lamentations  for  my 
being  murthered  so  young. 

"  Are  you  better,  Mister  Charles  ?  Spake  to  me,  alanah ! 
Say  that  you  're  not  kilt,  darling ;  do  now.  Oh,  wirra  ! 
what  '11  I  ever  say  to  the  master  ?  and  you  doing  so  beauti- 
ful !  Would  n't  he  give  the  best  baste  in  his  stable  to  be 
looking  at  you  to-day  ?  There,  take  a  sup ;  it 's  only  water. 
Bad  luck  to  them,  but  it 's  hard  work  beatin'  them.  They  're 
only  gone  now.     That 's  right ;  now  you  're  coming  to." 

"  Where  am  I,  Mike  ?  " 

"  It 's  here  you  are,  darling,  resting  yourself." 

"  Well,  Charley,  my  poor  fellow,  you  've  got  sore  bones, 
too,"  cried  Power,  as,  his  face  swathed  in  bandages  and  cov- 
ered with  blood,  he  lay  down  on  the  grass  beside  me.  "  It 
was  a  gallant  thing  while  it  lasted,  but  has  cos.t  us  dearly. 
Poor  Hixley  —  " 

*'  What  of  him  ?  "  said  I,  anxiously. 

"  Poor  fellow,  he  has  seen  his  last  battle-field  !  He  fell 
across  me  as  we  came  out  upon  the  road.  I  lifted  him  up  in 
my  arms  and  bore  him  along  above  fifty  yards ;  but  he  was 
stone  dead.  Not  a  sigh,  not  a  word  escaped  him ;  shot 
through  the  forehead."  As  he  spoke,  his  lips  trembled,  and 
his  voice  sank  to  a  mere  whisper  at  the  last  words  :  "  You 
remember  what  he  said  last  night.  Poor  fellow,  he  was 
every  inch  a  soldier." 

Such  was  his  epitaph. 

I  turned  my  head  towards  the  scene  of  our  late  encounter. 
Some  dismounted  guns  and  broken  wagons  alone  marked  the 
spot ;  while  far  in  the  distance,  the  dust  of  the  retreating 
columns  showed  the  beaten  enemy  as  they  hurried  towards 
the  frontiers  of  Spain. 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

THE    MORNING. 

There  are  few  sadder  things  in  life  than  the  day  after  a 
battle.  The  high-beating  hope,  the  bounding  spirits,  have 
passed  away,  and  in  their  stead  comes  the  depressing  reac- 
tion by  which  every  overwrought  excitement  is  followed. 
With  far  different  eyes  do  we  look  upon  the  compact  ranks 
and  glistening  files,  — 

With  helm  arrayed, 
And  lance  and  blade, 
And  plume  in  the  gay  wind  dancing  I 

and  upon  the  cold  and  barren  heath,  whose  only  memory  of 
the  past  is  the  blood-stained  turf,  a  mangled  corpse,  the 
broken  gun,  the  shattered  wall,  the  well-trodden  earth 
where  columns  stood,  the  cut-up  ground  where  cavalry  had 
charged, — these  are  the  sad  relics  of  all  the  chivalry  of 
yesterday. 

The  morning  which  followed  the  battle  of  the  Douro  was 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  I  ever  remember.  There  was  that 
kind  of  freshness  and  elasticity  in  the  air  which  certain  days 
possess,  and  communicate  by  some  magic  their  properties  to 
ourselves.  The  thrush  was  singing  gayly  out  from  every 
grove  and  wooded  dell ;  the  very  river  had  a  sound  of  glad- 
ness as  it  rippled  on  against  its  sedgy  banks ;  the  foliage, 
too,  sparkled  in  the  fresh  dcAV,  as  in  its  robes  of  holiday,  and 
all  looked  bright  and  happy. 

We  were  picketed  near  the  river,  upon  a  gently  rising 
ground,  from  which  the  view  extended  for  miles  in  every 
direction.  Above  us,  the  stream  came  winding  down  amidst 
broad  and  fertile  fields  of  tall  grass  and  waving  corn,  backed 
by  deep  and  mellow  woods,  which  were  lost  to  the  view 


THE   MORNING.  S"3 

upon  the  distant  hills  ;  below,  the  river,  widening  as  it  went, 
pursued  a  straighter  course,  or  turned  with  bolder  curves, 
till,  passing  beneath  the  town,  it  spread  into  a  large  sheet  of 
glassy  water  as  it  opened  to  the  sea.  The  sun  was  just  rising 
as  I  looked  upon  this  glorious  scene,  and  already  the  tall 
spires  of  Oporto  were  tipped  with  a  bright  rosy  hue,  while 
the  massive  towers  and  dark  walls  threw  their  lengthened 
shadows  far  across  the  plain. 

The  fires  of  the  bivouac  still  burned,  but  all  slept  around 
them.  Not  a  sound  was  heard  save  the  tramp  of  a  patrol 
or  the  short,  quick  cry  of  the  sentry.  I  sat  lost  in  medita- 
tion, or  rather  in  that  state  of  dreamy  tlioughtfulness  in 
which  the  past  and  present  are  combined,  and  the  absent  are 
alike  before  us  as  are  the  things  we  look  upon. 

One  moment  I  felt  as  though  I  were  describing  to  my 
uncle  the  battle  of  the  day  before,  pointing  out  where  we 
stood,  and  how  we  charged;  then  again  I  was  at  home,  be- 
side the  broad,  bleak  Shannon,  and  the  brown  hills  of  Scariff. 
I  watched  with  beating  heart  the  tall  Sierra,  where  our  path 
lay  for  the  future,  and  then  turned  my  thoughts  to  him  whose 
name  was  so  soon  to  be  received  in  England  with  a  nation^s 
pride  and  gratitude,  and  panted  for  a  soldier's  glory. 

As  thus  I  followed  every  rising  fancy,  I  heard  a  step 
approach ;  it  was  a  figure  muffled  in  a  cavalry  cloak,  which 
I  soon  perceived  to  be  Power. 

"Charley  ! "  said  he,  in  a  half-whisper,  "get  up  and  come 
with  me.  You  are  aware  of  the  general  order,  that  while 
in  pursuit  of  an  enemy,  all  military  honors  to  the  dead  are 
forbidden ;  but  we  wish  to  place  our  poor  comrade  in  the 
earth  before  we  leave." 

I  followed  down  a  little  path,  through  a  grove  of  tall 
beech-trees,  that  opened  upon  a  little  grassy  terrace  beside 
the  river.  A  stunted  olive-tree  stood  by  itself  in  the  midst, 
and  there  I  found  five  of  our  brother  officers  standing, 
wrapped  in  their  wide  cloaks.  As  we  pressed  each  other's 
hands,  not  a  word  was  spoken.  Each  heart  was  full ;  and 
hard  features  that  never  quailed  before  the  foe  were  now 
shaken  with  the  convulsive  spasm  of  agony  or  compressed 
with  stern  determination  to  seem  calm. 

A  cavalry  helmet  and  a  large  blue  cloak  lay  upon  the 


374  ^  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

grass.  The  narrow  grave  was  already  dug  beside  it ;  and 
in  the  deathlike  stillness  around,  the  service  for  the  dead 
was  read.  The  last  words  were  over.  We  stooped  and 
placed  the  corpse,  wrapped  up  in  the  broad  mantle,  in  the 
earth  ;  we  replaced  the  mould,  and  stood  silently  around 
the  spot.  The  trumpet  of  our  regiment  at  this  moment 
sounded  the  call ;  its  clear  notes  rang  sharply  through  the 
thin  air,  —  it  was  the  soldier's  requiem !  and  we  turned 
away  without  speaking,  and  returned  to  our  quarters. 

I  had  never  known  poor  Hixley  till  a  day  or  two  before ; 
but,  somehow,  my  grief  for  him  was  deep  and  heartfelt.  It 
was  not  that  his  frank  and  manly  bearing,  his  bold  and 
military  air,  had  gained  upon  me,  No ;  these  were  indeed 
qualities  to  attract  and  delight  me,  but  he  had  obtained  a 
stronger  and  faster  hold  upon  my  affections,  —  he  spoke  to 
me  of  home. 

Of  all  the  ties  that  bind  us  to  the  chance  acquaintances 
we  meet  with  in  life,  what  can  equal  this  one  ?  What  a 
claim  upon  your  love  has  he  who  can,  by  some  passing 
word,  some  fast-flitting  thought,  bring  back  the  days  of 
your  youth !  What  interest  can  he  not  excite  by  some 
anecdote  of  your  boyish  days,  some  well-remembered  trait 
of  youthful  daring,  or  early  enterprise  I  Many  a  year  of 
sunshine  and  of  storm  have  passed  above  my  head ;  I  have 
not  been  withoiat  my  moments  of  gratified  pride  and  re- 
warded ambition;  but  my  heart  has  never  I'esponded  so 
fully,  so  thankfully,  so  proudly  to  these,  such  as  they  were, 
as  to  the  simple,  touching  words  of  one  who  knew  my  early 
home,  and  loved  its  inmates, 

"  Well,  Fitzroy,  what  news  ? "  inquired  I,  roused  from 
my  musing,  as  an  aide-de-camp  galloped  up  at  full  speed, 

"  Tell  Merivale  to  get  the  regiment  under  arms  at  once. 
Sir  Arthur  Wellesley  will  be  here  in  less  than  half  an  hour. 
You  may  look  for  the  route  immediately.  Where  are  the 
Germans  quartered  ?  " 

"  Lower  down  ;  beside  that  grove  of  beech-trees,  next  the 
river," 

Scarcely  was  my  reply  spoken,  when  he  dashed  spurs  into 
his  horse,  and  was  soon  out  of  sight.  Meanwhile  the  plain 
beneath  me  presented  an  animated  and  splendid  spectacle. 


THE  MOKNING.  375 

The  different  corps  were  falling  into  position  to  the  enliv- 
ening sounds  of  their  quick-step,  the  trumpets  of  the  cawilry 
rang  loudly  through  the  valley,  and  the  clatter  of  sabres 
and  sabre tasches  joined  with  the  hollow  tramp  of  the 
horses,  as  the  squadron  came  up. 

I  had  not  a  moment  to  lose ;  so  hastening  back  to  my 
quarters,  I  found  Mike  waiting  with  my  horse. 

"  Captain  Power 's  before  you,  sir,"  said  he,  "  and  you  '11 
have  to  make  haste.  The  regiments  are  under  arms 
already." 

From  the  little  mound  where  I  stood,  I  could  see  the 
long  line  of  cavalry  as  they  deployed  into  the  plain,  followed 
by  the  horse  artillery,  which  brought  up  the  rear. 

"  This  looks  like  a  march,"  thought  I,  as  I  pressed  forward 
to  join  my  companions. 

I  had  not  advanced  above  a  hundred  yards  through  a  nar- 
row ravine  when  the  measured  tread  of  infantry  fell  upon 
my  ears.  I  pulled  up  to  slacken  my  pace,  just  as  the  head 
of  a  column  turned  round  the  angle  of  the  road,  and  came 
in  view.  The  tall  caps  of  a  grenadier  company  was  the 
first  thing  I  beheld,  as  they  came  on  without  roll  of  drum 
and  sound  of  fife.  I  watched  with  a  soldier's  pride  the 
manly  bearing  and  gallant  step  of  the  dense  mass  as  they 
defiled  before  me.  I  was  struck  no  less  by  them  than  by  a 
certain  look  of  a  steady  but  sombre  cast  which  each  man 
wore. 

"  What  can  this  mean  ?  "  thought  I. 

My  first  impression  was,  that  a  military  execution  was 
about  to  take  place,  the  next  moment  solved  my  doubt ;  for 
as  the  last  files  of  the  grenadiers  wheeled  round,  a  dense 
mass  behind  came  in  sight,  whose  unarmed  hands,  and 
downcast  air,  at  once  bespoke  them  prisoners-of-war. 

What  a  sad  sight  it  was  !  There  was  the  old  and  weather- 
beaten  grenadier,  erect  in  frame  and  firm  in  step,  his  gray 
mustache  scarcely  concealing  the  scowl  that  curled  his  lip, 
side  by  side  with  the  young  and  daring  conscript,  even  yet 
a  mere  boy ;  their  march  was  regular,  their  gaze  steadfast, 
—  no  look  of  flinching  courage  there.  On  they  came,  a  long 
unbroken  line.  They  looked  not  less  proudly  than  their 
captors  around  them.     As  I  looked  with  heavy  heart  upon 


376  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

them,  my  attention  was  attracted  to  one  who  marched  alone 
behind  the  rest.  He  was  a  middle-sized  but  handsome 
yonth  of  some  eighteen  years  at  most ;  his  light  helmet 
and  waving  plume  bespoke  him  a  chasseur  a  cheval,  and  I 
could  plainly  perceive,  in  his  careless  half-saucy  air,  how 
indignantly  he  felt  the  position  to  which  the  fate  of  war 
had  reduced  him.  He  caught  my  eyes  fixed  upon  him,  and 
for  an  instant  turned  upon  me  a  gaze  of  open  and  palpable 
defiance,  drawing  himself  up  to  his  full  height,  and  crossing 
his  arms  upon  his  breast ;  but  probably  perceiving  in  my 
look  more  of  interest  than  of  triumph,  his  countenance  sud- 
denly changed,  a  deep  blush  suffused  his  cheek,  his  eye 
beamed  with  a  softened  and  kindly  expression,  and  carry- 
ing his  hand  to  his  helmet,  he  saluted  me,  saying,  in  a  voice 
of  singular  sweetness,  — 

"  Je  vous  soiihaite  un  meilleur  sort,  camarade." 
I  bowed,  and  muttering  something  in  return,  was  about 
to  make  some  inquiry  concerning  him,  when  the  loud  call 
of  the  trumpet  rang  through  the  valley,  and  apprised  me 
that,  in  my  interest  for  the  prisoners,  I  had  forgotten  all 
else,  and  was  probably  incurring  censure  for  my  absence. 


CHAPTEK  XLVII. 

THE    KEVIEW. 

When"  I  joined  the  group  of  my  brother  officers,  who 
stood  gayly  chatting  and  laughing  together  before  our  lines, 
I  was  much  surprised  —  nay  almost  shocked  —  to  find  how 
little  seeming  impression  had  been  made  upon  them  by  the 
sad  duty  we  had  performed  that  morning. 

When  last  we  met,  each  eye  w^as  downcast,  each  heart 
was  full.  —  sorrow  for  him  we  had  lost  from  among  us  for- 
ever, mingling  with  the  awful  sense  of  our  own  uncertain 
tenure  here,  had  laid  its  impress  on  each  brow ;  but  now, 
scarcely  an  hour  elapsed,  and  all  were  cheerful  and  elated. 
The  last  shovelful  of  earth  upon  the  grave  seemed  to  have 
buried  both  the  dead  and  the  mourning.  And  such  is  war, 
and  such  the  temperament  it  forms  !  Events  so  strikingly 
opposite  in  their  character  and  influences  succeed  so  rapidly 
one  upon  another  that  the  mind  is  kept  in  one  Avhirl  of 
excitement,  and  at  length  accustoms  itself  to  change  with 
every  phase  of  circumstances  ;  and  between  joy  and  grief, 
hope  and  despondency,  enthusiasm  and  depression,  there  is 
neither  breadth  nor  interval,  —  they  follow  each  other  as 
naturally  as  morning  succeeds  to  night. 

I  had  not  much  time  for  such  reflections  ;  scarcely  had  I 
saluted  the  officers  about  me,  when  the  loud  prolonged  roll 
of  the  drums  along  the  line  of  infantry  in  the  valley,  fol- 
lowed by  the  sharp  clatter  of  muskets  as  they  were  raised 
to  the  shoulder,  announced  the  troops  were  under  arms,  and 
the  review  begun. 

"  Have  you  seen  the  general  order  this  morning.  Power  ?  " 
inquired  an  old  officer  beside  me. 

"  No ;  they  say,  however,  that  ours  are  mentioned." 

"  Harvey  is  going  on  favorably,"  cried  a  young  cornet,  as 
he  galloped  up  to  our  party. 

"  Take  ground  to  the  left ! "  sung  out  the  clear  voice  of 
the  colonel,  as  he  rode  along  in  front.     "Fourteenth,  I  am 


oiS  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

happy  to  inform  you  that  your  conduct  has  met  approval 
in  the  highest  quarter.  I  have  just  received  the  general 
orders,  in  which  this  occurs  :  — 

" '  The  timely  passage  of  the  Douro,  and  subsequent 

MOVEMENTS     UPON    THE    ENEMy's     FLANK,    BY    LlEUTENANT- 

General  Sherbroke,  with  the  Guards  and  29th  Kegi- 
ment,  and  the  bravery  of  the  two  squadrons  of  the 
14th  Light  Dragoons,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Harvey,  and  led  by  the  Honorable  Brigadier-General 
Charles  Stewart,  obtained  the  Victory'  —  Mark  that, 
my  lads  !  obtained  the  victory  —  '  which  has  contributed 
so  much  to  the  honor  of  the  troops  on  this  day.'  " 

The  words  were  hardly  spoken,  when  a  tremendous  cheer 
burst  from  the  whole  line  at  once. 

"  Steady,  Fourteenth  !  steady,  lads  !  "  said  the  gallant 
old  colonel,  as  he  raised  his  hand  gently;  ''the  staff  is 
approaching." 

At  the  same  moment,  the  white  plumes  appeared,  rising 
above  the  brow  of  the  hill.  On  tliey  came,  glittering  in  all 
the  splendor  of  aiguillettes  and  orders ;  all  save  one.  He 
rode  foremost,  upon  a  small,  compact,  black  horse ;  his  dress, 
a  plain  gray  frock  fastened  at  the  waist  by  a  red  sash ;  his 
cocked  hat  alone  bespoke,  in  its  plume,  the  general  officer. 
He  galloped  rapidly  on  till  he  came  to  the  centre  of  the 
line ;  then  turning  short  round,  he  scanned  the  ranks  from 
end  to  end  with  an  eagle  glance. 

"  Colonel  Merivale,  you  have  made  known  to  your  regi- 
ment my  opinion  of  them,  as  expressed  in  general  orders  ?  " 

The  colonel  bowed  low  in  acquiescence. 

"  Fitzroy,  you  have  got  the  memorandum,  I  hope  ?  " 

The  aide-de-camp  here  presented  to  Sir  Arthur  a  slip  of 
paper,  which  he  continued  to  regard  attentively  for  some 
minutes. 

''  Captain  Powel,  —  Power,  I  mean.     Captain  Power ! " 

Power  rode  out  from  the  line. 

"  Your  very  distinguished  conduct  yesterday  has  been  re- 
ported to  me.  I  shall  have  sincere  pleasure  in  forwarding 
your  name  for  the  vacant  majority. 

"You  have  forgotten,  Colonel  Merivale,  to  send  in  the 
name  of  the  officer  who  saved  General  Laborde's  life." 


THE  REVIEW.  379 

<•  I  believe  I  have  mentioned  it,  Sir  Arthur,"  said  the 
colonel :  "  Mr.  O'Malley." 

"  True,  I  beg  pardon ;  so  you  have  —  Mr.  O'Malley ;  a 
very  young  officer  indeed,  —  ha,  an  Irishman  !  The  south 
of  Ireland,  eh  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  the  west." 

^'  Oh,  yes  !  Well,  Mr.  O'Malley,  you  are  promoted.  You 
have  the  lieutenancy  in  your  own  regiment.  By-the-bye, 
Merivale,"  here  his  voice  changed  into  a  half-laughing  tone, 
"  ere  I  forget  it,  pray  let  me  beg  of  you  to  look  into  this 
honest  fellow's  claim ;  he  has  given  me  no  peace  the  entire 
morning." 

As  he  spoke,  I  turned  my  eyes  in  the  direction  he  pointed, 
and  to  my  utter  consternation,  beheld  my  man  Mickey  Free 
standing  among  the  staff,  the  position  he  occupied,  and  the 
presence  he  stood  in,  having  no  more  perceptible  effect 
upon  his  nerves  than  if  he  were  assisting  at  an  Irish  wake ; 
but  so  completely  was  I  overwhelmed  with  shame  at  the 
moment,  that  the  staff  were  already  far  down  the  lines  ere 
I  recovered  my  self-possession,  to  which,  certainly,  I  was  in 
some  degree  recalled  by  Master  Mike's  addressing  me  in  a 
somewhat  imploring  voice  :  — 

"  Arrah,  spake  for  me,  Master  Charles,  alanah ;  sure  they 
might  do  something  for  me  now,  av  it  was  only  to  make  me 
a  ganger." 

Mickey's  ideas  of  promotion,  thus  insinuatingly  put  for- 
Avard,  threw  the  whole  party  around  us  into  one  burst  of 
laughter. 

"  I  have  him  down  there,"  said  he,  pointing,  as  he  spoke, 
to  a  thick  grove  of  cork-trees  at  a  little  distance. 

"  Who  have  you  got  there,  Mike  ?  "  inquired  Power. 

"  Devil  a  one  o'  me  knows  his  name,"  replied  he ;  "  may  be 
it 's  Bony  himself." 

"  And  how  do  you  know  he 's  there  still  ?  " 

"  How  do  I  know,  is  it  ?     Did  n't  I  tie  him  last  night  ?  " 

Curiosity  to  find  out  what  Mickey  could  possibly  allude 
to,  induced  Power  and  myself  to  follow  him  down  the  slope 
to  the  clump  of  trees  I  have  mentioned.  As  we  came  near, 
the  very  distinct  denunciations  that  issued  from  the  thicket 
proved   pretty   clearly  the   nature   of  the   affair.     It  was 


380  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

nothing  less  than  a  French  officer  of  cavalry  that  Mike 
had  unhorsed  in  the  melee,  and  wishing,  probably,  to  pre- 
serve some  testimony  of  his  prowess,  had  made  prisoner,  and 
tied  fast  to  a  cork-tree,  the  preceding  evening. 

^^ Sacrehleu  !  "  said  the  poor  Frenchman,  as  we  approached, 
"ce  sont  des  sauvages  .'  " 

"Av  it's  making  your  sowl  ye  are,"  said  Mike,  "you're 
right ;  for  may  be  they  won't  let  me  keep  you  alive." 

Mike's  idea  of  a  tame  prisoner  threw  me  into  a  fit  of 
laughing,  while  Power  asked,  — 

''  And  what  do  you  want  to  do  with  him,  Mickey  ?  " 

"The  sorra  one  o'  me  knows,  for  he  spakes  no  dacent 
tongue.  Thighum  thu,"  said  he,  addressing  the  prisoner, 
with  a  poke  in  the  ribs  at  the  same  moment.  "  But  sure, 
Master  Charles,  he  might  tache  me  French." 

There  was  something  so  irresistibly  ludicrous  in  his  tone 
and  look  as  he  said  these  words,  that  both  Power  and  my- 
self absolutely  roared  with  laughter.  We  began,  however, 
to  feel  not  a  little  ashamed  of  our  position  in  the  business, 
and  explained  to  the  Frenchman  that  our  worthy  country- 
man had  but  little  experience  in  the  usages  of  war,  while 
we  proceeded  to  unbind  him  and  liberate  him  from  his  mis- 
erable bondage. 

"  It 's  letting  him  loose,  you  are.  Captain  ?  Master 
Charles,  take  care.  Be-gorra,  av  you  had  as  much  trouble 
in  catching  him  as  I  had,  you  'd  think  twice  about  letting 
him  out.  Listen  to  me,  now,"  here  he  placed  his  closed  fist 
within  an  inch  of  the  poor  prisoner's  nose,  —  "  listen  to 
me  !  Av  you  say  peas,  by  the  morteal,  I  '11  not  lave  a  whole 
bone  in  your  skin." 

With  some  difficulty  we  persuaded  Mike  that  his  conduct, 
so  far  from  leading  to  his  promotion,  might,  if  known  in 
another  quarter,  procure  him  an  acquaintance  with  the 
provost-marshal ;  a  fact  which,  it  was  plain  to  perceive,  gave 
him  but  a  very  poor  impression  of  military  gratitude. 

"Oh,  then,  if  they  were  in  swarms  foment  me,  devil 
receave  the  prisoner  I  '11  take  again  ! " 

So  saying,  he  slowly  returned  to  the  regiment ;  wliile 
Power  and  I,  having  conducted  the  Frenchman  to  the  rear, 
cantered  towards  the  town  to  learn  the  news  of  the  day. 


THE   REVIEW.  381 

The  city  on  that  day  presented  a  most  singular  aspect. 
The  streets,  filled  with  the  town's-people  and  the  soldiery, 
were  decorated  with  flags  and  garlands ;  the  cafes  were 
crowded  with  merry  groups,  and  the  sounds  of  music  and 
laughter  resounded  on  all  sides.  The  houses  seemed  to  be 
quite  inadequate  to  afford  accommodation  to  the  numerous 
guests ;  and  in  consequence,  bullock  cars  and  forage  wagons 
were  converted  into  temporary  hotels,  and  many  a  jovial 
party  were  collected  in  both.  Military  music,  church  bells, 
drinking  choruses,  were  all  commingled  in  the  din  and  tur- 
moil ;  processions  in  honor  of  "  Our  Lady  of  Succor  "  were 
jammed  up  among  bacchanalian  orgies,  and  their  very  chant 
half  drowned  in  the  cries  of  the  wounded  as  they  passed 
on  to  the  hospitals.  With  difficulty  we  pushed  our  way 
through  the  dense  mob,  as  we  turned  our  steps  towards  the 
seminary.  We  both  felt  naturally  curious  to  see  the  place 
where  our  first  detachment  landed,  and  to  examine  the 
opportunities  of  defence  it  presented.  The  building  itself 
was  a  large  and  irregular  one  of  an  oblong  form,  surrounded 
by  a  high  wall  of  solid  masonry,  the  only  entrance  being  by 
a  heavy  iron  gate. 

At  this  spot  the  battle  appeared  to  have  raged  with  vio- 
lence ;  one  side  of  the  massive  gate  was  torn  from  its  hinges 
and  lay  flat  upon  the  ground ;  the  walls  were  breached  in 
many  places  ;  and  pieces  of  torn  uniforms,  broken  bayonets, 
and  bruised  shakos  attested  that  the  conflict  was  a  close 
one.  The  seminary  itself  was  in  a  falling  state  ;  the  roof, 
from  which  Paget  had  given  his  orders,  and  where  he  was 
wounded,  had  fallen  in.  The  French  cannon  had  fissured 
the  building  from  top  to  bottom,  and  it  seemed  only  await- 
ing the  slightest  impulse  to  crumble  into  ruin.  When  we 
regarded  the  spot,  and  examined  the  narrow  doorway  which, 
opening  upon  a  flight  of  a  few  steps  to  the  river,  admitted 
our  first  party,  we  could  not  help  feeling  struck  anew  with 
the  gallantry  of  that  mere  handful  of  brave  fellows  who 
thus  threw  themselves  amidst  the  overwhelming  legions  of 
the  enemy,  and  at  once,  without  waiting  for  a  single  rein- 
forcement, opened  a  fire  upon  their  ranks.  Bold  as  the 
enterprise  unquestionably  was,  we  still  felt  with  what  con- 
summate judgment  it  had  been  planned;  a  bend  of  the  river 


382  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

concealed  entirely  the  passage  of  the  troops,  the  guns  of  the 
Sierras  covered  their  landing  and  completely  swept  one  ap- 
proach to  the  seminary.  The  French,  being  thus  obliged  to 
attack  by  the  gate,  were  compelled  to  make  a  considerable 
detour  before  they  reached  it,  all  of  which  gave  time  for  our 
divisions  to  cross  ;  while  the  brigade  of  Guards,  under  Gen- 
eral Sherbroke,  profiting  by  the  confusion,  passed  the  river 
below  the  town,  and  took  the  enemy  unexpectedly  in  the 
rear. 

Brief  as  was  the  struggle  within  the  town,  it  must  have 
been  a  terrific  one.  The  artillery  were  firing  at  musket 
range  ;  cavalry  and  infantry  were  fighting  hand  to  hand  in 
narrow  streets,  a  destructive  musketry  pouring  all  the  while 
from  windows  and  house-tops. 

At  the  Amarante  gate,  where  the  French  defiled,  the 
carnage  was  also  great.  Their  light  artillery  unlimbered 
some  guns  here  to  cover  the  columns  as  they  deployed, 
but  Murray's  cavalry  having  carried  these,  the  flank  of 
the  infantry  became  entirely  exposed  to  the  galling  fire 
of  small-arms  from  the  seminary,  and  the  far  more  de- 
structive shower  of  grape  that  poured  unceasingly  from 
the  Sierra. 

Our  brigade  did  the  rest ;  and  in  less  than  one  hour  from 
the  landing  of  the  first  man,  the  French  were  in  full  retreat 
upon  Vallonga. 

"A  glorious  thing,  Charley,"  said  Power,  after  a  pause, 
"  and  a  proud  souvenir  for  hereafter." 

A  truth  I  felt  deeply  at  the  time,  and  one  my  heart 
responds  to  not  less  fully  as  I  am  writing. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

THE    QUARREL. 

On  the  evening  of  the  12th,  orders  were  received  for  the 
German  brigade  and  three  squadrons  of  our  regiment  to 
pursue  tlie  French  upon  the  Terracinthe  road  by  daybreak 
on  the  following  morning. 

I  was  busily  occupied  in  my  preparations  for  a  hurried 
march  when  Mike  came  up  to  say  that  an  officer  desired  to 
speak  with  me  ;  and  the  moment  after  Captain  Hammersley 
appeared.  A  sudden  flush  colored  his  pale  and  sickly  feat- 
ures, as  he  held  out  his  hand  and  said,  — 

"I  've  come  to  wish  you  joy,  O'Malley.  I  just  this  instant 
heard  of  your  promotion.  I  am  sincerely  glad  of  it ;  pray 
tell  me  the  whole  affair." 

"That  is  the  very  thing  I  am  unable  to  do.  I  have  some 
very  vague,  indistinct  remembrance  of  warding  off  a  sabre- 
cut  from  the  head  of  a  wounded  and  unhorsed  officer  in  the 
melee  of  yesterday,  but  more  I  know  not.  In  fact,  it  was 
my  first  duty  under  fire.  I  've  a  tolerably  clear  recollection 
of  all  the  events  of  the  morning,  but  the  word  '  Charge  ! ' 
once  given,  I  remember  very  little  more.  But  you,  where 
have  you  been  ?     How  have  we  not  met  before  ?  " 

"  I  've  exchanged  into  a  heavy  dragoon  regiment,  and  am 
now  employed  upon  the  staff." 

"  You  are  aware  that  I  have  letters  for  you  ?  " 

"Power  hinted,  I  think,  something  of  the  kind.  I  saw 
him  very  hurriedly." 

These  words  were  spoken  with  an  effort  at  nonchalance 
that  evidently  cost  him  much. 

As  for  me,  my  agitation  was  scarcely  less,  as  fumbling  for 
some  seconds  in  my  portmanteau,  I  drew  forth  the  long  des- 
tined packet.  As  I  placed  it  in  his  hands,  he  grew  deadly 
pale,  and  a  slight  spasmodic  twitch  in  his  upper  lip  bespoke 
some  unnatural  struggle.     He  broke  the  seal  suddenly,  and 


384  CHARLES   O'MyVLLEY. 

as  lie  did  so,  tlie  morocco  case  of  a  miniature  fell  upon  the 
ground ;  his  eyes  ran  rapidly  across  the  letter  ;  the  livid 
color  of  his  lips  as  the  blood  forced  itself  to  them  added  to 
the  corpse-like  hue  of  his  countenance. 

"You,  probably,  are  aware  of  the  contents  of  this  letter, 
Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  he,  in  an  altered  voice,  whose  tones, 
half  in  anger,  half  in  suppressed  irony,  cut  to  my  very 
heart. 

"  I  am  in  complete  ignorance  of  them,"  said  I,  calmly. 

"  Indeed,  sir  ! "  replied  he,  with  a  sarcastic  curl  of  his 
mouth  as  he  spoke.  "  Then,  perhaps,  you  will  tell  me,  too, 
that  your  very  success  is  a  secret  to  you  —  " 

"  I  'm  really  not  aware  —  " 

"  You  think,  probably,  sir,  that  the  pastime  is  an  amusing 
one,  to  interfere  where  the  affections  of  others  are  concerned. 
I  've  heard  of  you,  sir.  Your  conduct  at  Lisbon  is  known  to 
me  ;  and  though  Captain  Trevyllian  may  bear  —  " 

"  Stop,  Captain  Hammersley  ! "  said  I,  with  a  tremendous 
effort  to  be  calm,  —  "  stop  !  You  have  said  enough,  quite 
enough,  to  convince  me  of  what  your  object  was  in  seeking 
me  hero  to-day.  You  shall  not  be  disappointed.  I  trust 
that  assurance  will  save  you  from  any  further  display  of 
temper." 

"I  thank  you,  most  humbly  I  thank  you  for  the  quick- 
ness of  your  apprehension  ;  and  I  shall  now  take  my  leave. 
Good-evening,  Mr.  O'Malley.  I  wish  you  much  joy  ;  you 
have  my  very  fullest  congratulations  upon  all  your  good 
fortune." 

The  sneering  emphasis  the  last  words  were  spoken  with 
remained  fixed  in  my  mind  long  after  he  took  his  depart- 
ure ;  and,  indeed,  so  completely  did  the  whole  seem  like  a 
dream  to  me  that  were  it  not  for  the  fragments  of  the 
miniature  that  lay  upon  the  ground  where  he  had  crushed 
them  with  his  heel,  I  could  scarcely  credit  myself  that  I 
was  awake. 

My  first  impulse  was  to  seek  Power,  upon  whose  judgment 
and  discretion  I  could  with  confidence  rely. 

I  had  not  long  to  Avait ;  for  scarcely  had  I  thrown  my 
cloak  around  me,  when  he  rode  up.  He  had  just  seen 
Hammersley,  and  learned  something  of  our  interview. 


THE   QUARREL.  385 

"AVhy,  Charley,  my  dear  fellow,  what  is  this?  How 
have  you  treated  poor  Hanimersley  ?  " 

"  Treated  him  !     Say,  ratlier,  how  has  he  treated  me  I  " 

I  here  entered  into  a  short  but  accurate  account  of  our 
meeting,  during  which  Power  listened  with  great  compos- 
ure ;  while  I  could  perceive,  from  the  questions  he  asked, 
that  some  very  different  impression  had  been  previously 
made  upon  his  mind. 

"  And  this  was  all  that  passed  ?  " 

''  All." 

"But  what  of  the  business  at  Lisbon  ?" 

"I  don't  understand." 

"  Why,  he  speaks,  —  he  has  heard  some  foolish  account 
of  your  having  made  some  ridiculous  speech  there  about 
your  successful  rivalry  of  him  in  Ireland.  Lucy  Dash  wood, 
I  suppose,  is  referred  to.  Some  one  has  been  good-natured 
enough  to  repeat  the  thing  to  him." 

"  But  it  never  occurred.     I  never  did." 

"  Are  you  sure,  Charley  ?  " 

"  I  am  sure.     I  know  I  never  did." 

"  The  poor  fellow  !  He  has  been  duped.  Come,  Charley, 
you  must  not  take  it  ill.  Poor  Hanimersley  has  never  re- 
covered a  sabre-wound  he  received  some  months  since  upon 
the  head ;  his  intellect  is  really  affected  by  it.  Leave  it 
all  to  me.  Promise  not  to  leave  your  quarters  till  I  return, 
and  I  '11  put  everything  right  again." 

I  gave  the  required  pledge  ;  while  Power,  springing  into 
the  saddle,  left  me  to  my  own  reflections. 

My  frame  of  mind  as  PoAver  left  me  was  by  no  means  an 
enviable  one.  A  quarrel  is  rarely  a  happy  incident  in  a 
man's  life,  still  less  is  it  so  when  the  difference  arises  with 
one  we  are  disposed  to  like  and  respect.  Such  was  Hani- 
mersley. His  manly,  straightforward  character  had  won 
my  esteem  and  regard,  and  it  was  with  no  common  scrutiny 
I  taxed  my  memory  to  think  what  could  have  given  rise  to 
the  impression  he  labored  under  of  my  having  injured  him. 
His  chance  mention  of  Trevyllian  suggested  to  me  some 
suspicion  that  his  dislike  of  me,  wherefore  arising  I  knew 
not,  might  have  its  share  in  the  matter ;  and  in  this  state 
of  doubt  and  uncertainty  I  paced  impatiently  up  and  down, 
VOL.  I  — 25 


386  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

anxiously  "watching  for  Power's  return  in  the  hope  of  at 
length  getting  some  real  insight  into  the  difficulty. 

My  patience  was  fast  ebbing,  Power  had  been  absent  above 
an  hour,  and  no  appearance  of  him  could  I  detect,  when 
suddenly  the  tramp  of  a  horse  came  rapidly  up  the  hill,  I 
looked  out  and  saw  a  rider  coming  forward  at  a  very  fast 
pace.  Before  I  had  time  for  even  a  guess  as  to  who  it  was, 
he  drew  up,  and  I  recognized  Captain  Trevyllian.  There 
was  a  certain  look  of  easy  impertinence  and  half-smiling 
satisfaction  about  his  features  I  had  never  seen  before,  as 
he  touched  his  cap  in  salute,  and  said,  — 

"  May  I  have  the  honor  of  a  few  words'  conversation  with 
you  ?  " 

I  bowed  silently,  while  he  dismounted,  and  passing  his 
bridle  beneath  his  arm,  walked  on  beside  me. 

"  My  friend  Captain  Hammersley  has  commissioned  me 
to  wait  upon  yon  about  this  unpleasant  affair  —  " 

"  I  beg  pardon  for  the  interruption,  Captain  Trevyllian, 
but  as  I  have  yet  to  learn  to  what  you  or  your  friend  alludes, 
perhaps  it  may  facilitate  matters  if  you  will  explicitly  state 
your  meaning." 

He  grew  crimson  on  the  cheek  as  I  said  this,  while,  with 
a  voice  perfectly  unmoved,  he  continued,  — 

"  I  am  not  sufficiently  in  my  friend's  confidence  to  know 
the  whole  of  the  affair  in  question,  nor  have  I  his  per- 
mission to  enter  into  any  of  it,  he  probably  presuming,  as  I 
certainly  did  myself,  that  your  sense  of  honor  would  have 
deemed  fiirther  parley  and  discussion  both  unnecessary  and 
unseasonable." 

"  In  fact,  then,  if  I  understand,  it  is  expected  that  I  should 
meet  Captain  Hammersley  for  some  reason  unknown  —  " 

"  He  certainly  desires  a  meeting  with  you,"  was  the  dry 
reply. 

"And  as  certainly  I  shall  not  give  it,  before  understand-, 
ing  upon  what  grounds." 

"  And  such  I  am  to  report  as  your  answer  ? "  said  he, 
looking  at  me  at  the  moment  with  an  expression  of  ill- 
repressed  triumph  as  he  spoke. 

There  was  something  in  these  few  words,  as  well  as  in  the 
tone  in  which  they  were  spoken,  that  sunk  deeply  in  my 


THE  QUAKREL.  387 

heart.  Was  it  that  by  some  trick  of  diplomacy  he  was 
endeavoring  to  compromise  my  honor  and  character  ?  Was 
it  possible  that  my  refusal  might  be  construed  into  any 
other  than  the  real  cause  ?  I  was  too  young,  too  inex- 
perienced in  the  world  to  decide  the  question  for  myself, 
and  no  time  was  allowed  me  to  seek  another's  counsel. 
What  a  trying  moment  was  that  for  me ;  my  temples 
throbbed,  my  heart  beat  almost  audibly,  and  I  stood  afraid 
to  speak ;  dreading  on  the  one  hand  lest  my  compliance  might 
involve  me  in  an  act  to  embitter  my  life  forever,  and  fearful 
on  the  other,  that  my  refusal  might  be  reported  as  a  trait 
of  cowardice. 

He  saw,  he  read  my  difficulty  at  a  glance,  and  with  a  smile 
of  most  supercilious  expression,  repeated  coolly  his  former 
question.  In  an  instant  all  thought  of  Hammersley  was 
forgotten.  I  remembered  no  more.  I  saw  him  before  me, 
he  Avho  had,  since  my  first  meeting,  continually  contrived  to 
pass  some  inappreciable  slight  upon  me.  My  eyes  flashed, 
my  hands  tingled  with  ill-repressed  rage,  as  I  said,  — 

"  With  Captain  Hammersley  I  am  conscious  of  no  quarrel, 
nor  have  I  ever  shown  by  any  act  or  look  an  intention  to 
provoke  one.  Indeed,  such  demonstrations  are  not  always 
successful ;  there  are  persons  most  rigidly  scrupulous  for  a 
friend's  honor,  little  disposed  to  guard  their  own." 

''  You  mistake,"  said  he,  interrupting  me,  as  I  spoke  these 
words  with  a  look  as  insulting  as  I  could  make  it,  —  "  you 
mistake.  I  have  sworn  a  solemn  oath  never  to  send  a 
challenge." 

The  emphasis  upon  the  word  "  send,"  explained  fully  his 
meaning,  when  I  said,  — 

"  But  you  will  not  decline  —  " 

"  Most  certainly  not,"  said  he,  again  interrupting,  while 
with  sparkling  eye  and  elated  look  he  drew  himself  up  to 
his  full  height.     "  Your  friend  is  —  " 

"  Captain  Power ;  and  yours  —  " 

"  Sir  Harry  Beaufort.  I  may  observe  that,  as  the  troops 
are  in  marching  order,  the  matter  had  better  not  be 
delayed." 

"  There  shall  be  none  on  my  part." 

"  Xor  mine ! "  said  he,  as  with  a  low  bow  and  a  look  of 


388  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

most  ineffable  triuinpli,  he  sprang  into  his  saddle ;  then, 
"  Au  revoir,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  he,  gathering  up  his  reins. 
"Beaufort  is  on  the  staff,  and  quartered  at  Oporto."  So 
saying,  he  cantered  easily  down  the  slope^  and  once  more  I 
was  alone. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

THE    ROUTE    CONTINUED. 

I  WAS  leisurely  examining  my  pistols,  —  poor  Considine's 
last  present  to  me  on  leaving  home,  —  when  an  orderly 
sergeant  rode  up,  and  delivered  into  my  hands  the  following 
order : — 

Lieutenant  O'Malley  will  hold  himself  in  immediate  readiness  to 
proceed  on  a  particular  service.  By  order  of  his  Excellency  the 
Commander  of  the  Forces. 

[Signed]  S.  Gordon,  Military  Secretary. 

"  What  can  this  mean  ?  "  thought  I.  "  It  is  not  possible 
that  any  rumor  of  my  intended  meeting  could  have  got 
abroad,  and  that  my  present  destination  could  be  intended 
as  a  punishment  ?  " 

I  walked  hurriedly  to  the  door  of  the  little  hut  which 
formed  my  quarters  ;  below  me  in  the  plain,  all  was  activity 
and  preparation,  the  infantry  were  drawn  up  in  marching 
order,  baggage  wagons,  ordnance  stores,  and  artillery  seemed 
all  in  active  preparation,  and  some  cavalry  squadrons  might 
be  already  seen  with  forage  allowances  behind  the  saddle,  as 
if  only  waiting  the  order  to  set  out.  I  strained  my  eyes  to 
see  if  Power  was  coming,  but  no  horseman  approached  in 
the  direction.  I  stood,  and  I  hesitated  whether  I  should 
not  rather  seek  him  at  once,  than  continue  to  wait  on  in  my 
present  uncertainty  ;  but  then,  what  if  I  should  miss  him  ? 
And  I  had  pledged  myself  to  remain  till  he  returned. 

While  I  deliberated  thus  with  myself,  weighing  the  various 
chances  for  and  against  each  plan,  I  saw  two  mounted 
officers  coming  towards  me  at  a  brisk  trot.  As  they  came 
nearer,  I  recognized  one  as  my  colonel,  the  other  was  an 
officer  of  the  staff. 

Supposing  that  their  mission  had  some  relation  to  the 
order  I  had  so  lately  received,  and  which  until  now  I  had 


390  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

forgotten,  I  hastily  returned  and  ordered  Mike  io  my 
presence. 

"  How  are  the  horses,  Mike  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Never  better,  sir.  Badger  was  wounded  slightly  by  a 
spent  shot  in  the  counter,  but  he 's  never  the  worse  this 
morning,  and  the  black  horse  is  capering  like  a  filly." 

"  Get  ready  my  pack,  feed  the  cattle,  and  be  prepared  to 
set  out  at  a  moment's  warning," 

"  Good  advice,  O'Malley,"  said  the  colonel,  as  he  over- 
heard the  last  direction  to  my  servant.  "  I  hope  the  nags 
are  in  condition  ?  " 

"  Why  yes,  sir,  I  believe  they  are." 

"  All  the  better ;  you  've  a  sharp  ride  before  you.  Mean- 
while let  me  introduce  my  friend ;  Captain  Beaumont,  Mr. 
O'Malley.     I  think  we  had  better  be  seated." 

''  These  are  your  instructions,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  Captain 
Beaumont,  unfolding  a  map  as  he  spoke.  ''  You  will  pro- 
ceed from  this  with  half  a  troop  of  our  regiment  by  forced 
marches  towards  the  frontier,  passing  through  the  town  of 
Calenco  and  Guarda  and  the  Estrella  pass.  On  arriving  at 
the  headquarters  of  the  Lusitanian  Legion,  which  you  will 
find  there,  you  are  to  put  yourself  under  the  orders  of  Major 
Monsoon,  commanding  that  force.  Any  Portuguese  cavalry 
he  may  have  with  him  will  be  attached  to  yours  and  under 
your  command ;  your  rank  for  the  time  being  that  of  captain. 
You  will,  as  far  as  possible,  acquaint  yourself  with  the 
habits  and  capabilities  of  the  native  cavalry,  and  make  such 
report  as  you  judge  necessary  thereupon  to  his  Excellency 
the  commander  of  the  forces.  I  think  it  only  fair  to  add 
that  you  are  indebted  to  my  friend  Colonel  Merivale  for 
the  very  flattering  position  thus  opened  to  your  skill  and 
enterprise." 

"My  daar  Colonel,  let  me  assure  you  —  " 

"  Not  a  word,  my  boy.  I  knew  the  thing  would  suit  you, 
and  I  am  sure  I  can  count  upon  your  not  disappointing  my 
expectations  of  you.  Sir  Arthur  perfectly  remembers  your 
name.     He  only  asked  two  questions,  — 

"  '  Is  he  well  mounted  ?  ' 

" '  Admirably,'  was  my  answer. 

" '  Can  you  depend  upon  his  promptitude  ? ' 


THE   ROUTE   CONTINUED.  391 

"'He  '11  leave  in  half  an  hour.' 

"  So  you  see,  O'Malley,  I  have  already  pledged  myself  for 
you.  And  now  I  must  say  adieu ;  the  regiments  are  about 
to  take  up  a  more  advanced  position,  so  good-by.  I  hope 
you  '11  have  a  pleasant  time  of  it  till  we  meet  again." 

"  It  is  now  twelve  o'clock,  Mr.  O'Malley,"  said  Beaumont ; 
"  we  may  rely  upon  your  immediate  departure.  Your  writ- 
ten instructions  and  despatches  will  be  here  within  a  quarter 
of  an  hour." 

I  muttered  something,  —  what,  I  cannot  remember ;  I 
bowed  my  thanks  to  my  worthy  colonel,  shook  his  hand 
warmly,  and  saw  him  ride  down  the  hill  and  disappear  in 
the  crowd  of  soldiery  beneath,  before  I  could  recall  my 
faculties  and  think  over  my  situation. 

Then  all  at  once  did  the  full  difficulty  of  my  position  break 
upon  me.  If  I  accepted  my  present  employment  1  must 
certainly  fail  in  my  engagement  to  Trevyllian.  But  I  had 
already  pledged  myself  to  its  acceptance.  What  was  to  be 
done  ?  No  time  was  left  for  deliberation.  The  very 
minutes  I  should  have  spent  in  preparation  were  fast  pass- 
ing. Would  that  Power  might  appear  !  Alas,  he  came  not ! 
My  state  of  doubt  and  uncertainty  increased  every  moment ; 
I  saw  nothing  but  ruin  before  me,  even  at  a  moment  when 
fortune  promised  most  fairly  for  the  future,  and  opened  a 
field  of  enterprise  my  heart  had  so  often  and  so  ardently 
desired.  Nothing  was  left  me  but  to  hasten  to  Colonel 
Merivale  and  decline  my  appointment ;  to  do  so  was  to  pre- 
judice my  character  in  his  estimation  forever,  for  I  dared 
not  allege  my  reasons,  and  in  all  probability  my  conduct 
might  require  my  leaving  the  army. 

"Be  it  so,  then,"  said  I,  in  an  accent  of  despair;  "the 
die  is  cast." 

I  ordered  my  horse  round ;  I  wrote  a  few  words  to  PoAver 
to  explain  my  absence  should  he  come  while  I  was  away, 
and  leaped  into  the  saddle.  As  I  reached  the  plain  my  pace 
became  a  gallop,  and  I  pressed  my  horse  with  all  the  im- 
patience my  heart  was  burning  with.  I  dashed  along  the 
lines  towards  Oporto,  neither  hearing  nor  seeing  aught 
around  me,  when  suddenly  the  clank  of  cavalry  accoutre- 
ments behind  induced  me  to  turn  my  head,  and  I  perceived 


392  CHARLES  O'jVIALLEY. 

an  orderly  dragoon  at  full  gallop  in  pursuit.  I  pulled  up 
till  he  came  alongside. 

** Lieutenant  O'Malley,  sir/'  said  the  man,  saluting,  "these 
despatches  are  for  you." 

I  took  them  hurriedly,  and  was  about  to  continue  my 
route,  when  the  attitude  of  the  dragoon  arrested  my  atten- 
tion. He  had  reined  in  his  horse  to  the  side  of  the  narrow 
causeway,  and  holding  him  still  and  steadily,  sat  motionless 
as  a  statue.  I  looked  behind  and  saw  the  whole  staff  ap- 
proaching at  a  brisk  trot.  Before  I  had  a  moment  for 
thought  tliey  were  beside  me. 

"  Ah,  O'Malley,"  cried  Merivale,  "  you  have  your  orders  ; 
don't  wait ;  his  Excellency  is  coming  up." 

"  Get  along,  I  advise  you,"  said  another,  '-  or  you  '11  catch 
it,  as  some  of  us  have  done  this  morning." 

"All  is  right,  Charley;  you  can  go  in  safety,"  said  a 
whispering  voice,  as  Power  passed  in  a  sharp  canter. 

That  one  sentence  was  enough  ;  my  heart  bounded  like  a 
deer,  my  cheek  beamed  with  the  glow  of  delighted  pleasure, 
I  closed  my  spurs  upon  my  gallant  gray  and  dashed  across 
the  plain. 

When  I  arrived  at  my  quarters  the  men  were  drawn  up 
in  waiting,  and  provided  with  rations  for  three  days'  march  ; 
Mike  was  also  prepared  for  the  road,  and  nothing  more 
remained  to  delay  me. 

"Captain  Power  has  been  here,  sir,  and  left  a  note." 

I  took  it  and  thrust  it  hastily  into  my  sabretasche.  I 
knew  from  the  few  words  he  had  spoken  that  my  present 
step  involved  me  in  no  ill  consequences  ;  so  giving  the  woi  d 
to  wheel  into  column,  I  rode  to  the  front  and  set  out  upon 
my  march  to  Alcantara. 


CHAPTER  L. 

THE    WATCH-FIRE. 

There  are  few  things  so  inspiriting  to  a  young  soldier 
as  the  being  employed  with  a  separate  command  ;  the  picket 
and  outpost  duty  have  a  charm  for  him  no  other  portion 
of  his  career  possesses.  The  field  seems  open  for  indi- 
vidual boldness  and  heroism ;  success,  if  obtained,  must 
redound  to  his  own  credit ;  and  what  can  equal,  in  its 
spirit-stirring  enthusiasm,  that  first  moment  when  we 
become  in  any  way  the  arbiter  of  our  own  fortunes  ? 

Such  were  my  happy  thoughts,  as  with  a  proud  and 
elated  heart  I  set  forth  upon  my  march.  The  notice  the 
commander-in-chief  had  bestowed  upon  me  had  already 
done  much ;  it  had  raised  me  in  my  own  estimation,  and 
implanted  within  me  a  longing  desire  for  further  distinc- 
tion. I  thought,  too,  of  those  far,  far  away,  who  were 
yet  to  hear  of  my  successes. 

I  fancied  to  myself  how  they  would  severally  receive 
the  news.  My  poor  uncle,  with  tearful  eye  and  quivering 
lip,  was  before  me,  as  I  saw  him  read  the  despatch,  then 
wipe  his  glasses,  and  read  on,  till  at  last,  with  one  long- 
drawn  breath,  his  manly  voice,  tremulous  with  emotion, 
would  break  forth  :  "  My  boy  !  my  own  Charley  !  "  Then 
I  pictured  Considine,  with  port  erect  and  stern  features, 
listening  silently  ;  not  a  syllable,  not  a  motion  betraying 
that  he  felt  interested  in  my  fate,  till  as  if  impatient,  at 
length  he  would  break  in :  "I  knew  it,  —  I  said  so ;  and 
yet  you  thought  to  make  him  a  lawyer !  "  And  then  old 
Sir  Harry,  his  warm  heart  glowing  with  pleasure,  and  his 
good-humored  face  beaming  with  happiness,  how  many 
a  blunder  he  would  make  in  retailing  the  news,  and  how 
many  a  hearty  laugh  his  version  of  it  would  give  rise  to ! 

I  passed  in  review  before  me  the  old  servants,  as  they 
lingered  in  the  room  to  hear  the  story.     Poor  old  Matthew, 


394  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

the  butler,  fumbling  with  his  corkscrew  to  gain  a  little 
time ;  then  looking  in  my  uncle's  face,  half  entreatingly, 
as  he  asked :  "  Any  news  of  Master  Charles,  sir,  from 
the  wars  ?  " 

While  thus  my  mind  wandered  back  to  the  scenes  and 
faces  of  my  early  home,  I  feared  to  ask  myself  how  she 
would  feel  to  whom  my  heart  was  now  turning.  Too 
deeply  did  I  know  how  poor  my  chances  were  in  that 
quarter  to  nourish  hope,  and  yet  I  could  not  bring  myself 
to  abandon  it  altogether.  Hamraersley's  strange  conduct 
suggested  to  me  that  he,  at  least,  could  not  be  my  rival ; 
while  I  plainly  perceived  that  he  regarded  me  as  his. 
There  was  a  mystery  in  all  this  I  could  not  fathom,  and 
I  ardently  longed  for  my  next  meeting  with  Power,  to 
learn  the  nature  of  his  interview,  and  also  in  what  manner 
the  affair  had  been  arranged. 

Such  were  my  passing  thoughts  as  I  pressed  forward. 
My  men,  picked  no  less  for  themselves  than  their  horses, 
came  rapidly  along ;  and  ere  evening,  we  had  accomplished 
twelve  leagues  of  our  journey. 

The  country  through  which  we  journeyed,  though  wild 
and  romantic  in  its  character,  was  singularly  rich  and  fertile, 
—  cultivation  reaching  to  the  very  summits  of  the  rugged 
mountains,  and  patches  of  wheat  and  Indian  corn  peeping 
amidst  masses  of  granite  rock  and  tangled  brushwood.  The 
vine  and  the  olive  grew  wild  on  every  side ;  while  the  orange 
and  the  arbutus,  loading  the  air  with  perfume,  were 
mingled  with  prickly  pear-trees  and  variegated  hollies. 
We  followed  no  regular  track,  but  cantered  along  over  hill 
and  valley,  through  forest  and  prairie,  now  in  long  file 
through  some  tall  field  of  waving  corn,  now  in  open  order 
upon  some  level  plain,  —  our  Portuguese  guide  riding  a 
little  in  advance  of  us,  upon  a  jet-black  mule,  carolling 
merrily  some  wild  Gallician  melody  as  he  went. 

As  the  sun  was  setting,  we  arrived  beside  a  little  stream 
that  flowing  along  a  rocky  bed,  skirted  a  vast  forest  of  tall 
cork-trees.  Here  we  called  a  halt,  and  picketing  our  horses, 
proceeded  to  make  our  arrangements  for  a  bivouac. 

Never  do  I  remember  a  more  lovely  night.  The  watch- 
fires  sent  up  a  delicious  odor  from  the  perfumed  shrubs; 


THE   WATCH-FIRE.  395 

while  the  glassy  water  reflected  on  its  still  surface  the 
starry  sky  that,  unshadowed  and  unclouded,  stretched 
above  us.  I  wrapped  myself  in  my  trooper's  mantle,  and 
lay  down  beneath  a  tree,  —  but  not  to  sleep.  There  was 
a  something  so  exciting,  and  withal  so  tranquillizing,  that 
I  had  no  thought  of  slumber,  but  fell  into  a  musing  revery. 
There  was  a  character  of  adventure  in  my  position  that 
charmed  me  much.  My  men  were  gathered  in  little 
groups  beside  the  fires ;  some  sunk  in  slumber,  others 
sat  smoking  silently,  or  chatting,  in  a  low  undertone,  of 
some  bygone  scene  of  battle  or  bivouac  ;  here  and  there 
were  picketed  the  horses  ;  the  heavy  panoply  and  piled 
carbines  flickering  in  the  red  glare  of  the  watch-fires, 
which  ever  and  anon  threw  a  flitting  glow  upon  the  stern 
and  swarthy  faces  of  my  bold  troopers.  Upon  the  trees 
around,  sabres  and  helmets,  holsters  and  cross-belts,  were 
hung  like  armorial  bearings  in  some  antique  hall,  the  dark 
foliage  spreading  its  heavy  shadow  around  us.  Farther  off, 
upon  a  little  rocky  ledge,  the  erect  figure  of  the  sentry, 
with  his  short  carbine  resting  in  the  hollow  of  his  arm, 
was  seen  slowly  pacing  in  measured  tread,  or  standing  for 
a  moment  silently,  as  he  looked  upon  the  fair  and  tranquil 
sky,  —  his  thoughts  doubtless  far,  far  away,  beyond  the 
sea,  to  some  humble  home,  where, — 

"  The  hum  of  the  spreading  sycamore, 
That  grew  beside  his  cottage  door," 

was  again  in  his  ears,  while  the  merry  laugh  of  his  children 
stirred  his  bold  heart.  It  was  a  Salvator-Rosa  scene,  and 
brought  me  back  in  fa,ncy  to  the  bandit  legends  I  had  read 
in  boyhood.  By  the  uncertain  light  of  the  wood  embers 
I  endeavored  to  sketch  the  group  that  lay  before  me. 

The  night  wore  on.  One  by  one  the  soldiers  stretched 
themselves  to  sleep,  and  all  was  still.  As  the  hours  rolled 
by  a  drowsy  feeling  crept  gradually  over  me.  I  placed 
my  pistols  by  my  side,  and  having  replenished  the  fire  by 
some  fresh  logs,  disposed  myself  comfortably  before  it. 

It  was  during  that  half-dreamy  state  that  intervenes 
between  waking  and  sleep  that  a  rustling  sound   of  the 


396  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

branches  behind  attracted  my  attention.  The  air  was  too 
calm  to  attribute  this  to  the  wind,  so  I  listened  for  some 
minutes ;  but  sleep,  too  long  deferred,  was  over-powerful, 
and  my  head  sank  upon  my  grassy  pillow,  and  I  was  soon 
sound  asleep.  How  long  I  remained  thus,  I  know  not ; 
but  I  awoke  suddenly.  I  fancied  some  one  had  shaken 
me  rudely  by  the  shoulder ;  but  yet  all  was  tranquil. 
My  men  were  sleeping  soundly  as  I  saw  them  last.  The 
fires  were  becoming  low,  and  a  gray  streak  in  the  sky,  as 
well  as  a  sharp  cold  feeling  of  the  air,  betokened  the 
approach  of  day.  Once  more  I  heaped  some  dry  branches 
togethei',  and  was  again  about  to  stretch  myself  to  rest, 
when  I  felt  a  hand  upon  m}'  shoulder.  I  turned  quickly 
round,  and  by  the  imperfect  light  of  the  fire,  saw  the  figure 
of  a  man  standing  motionless  beside  me  ;  his  head  was 
bare,  and  his  hair  fell  in  long  curls  upon  his  shoulders ; 
one  hand  was  pressed  upon  his  bosom,  and  with  the  other 
he  motioned  me  to  silence.  My  first  impression  was  that 
our  party  were  surprised  by  some  French  patrol ;  but  as 
I  looked  again,  I  recognized,  to  my  amazement,  that  the 
individual  before  me  was  the  young  French  officer  I  had 
seen  that  morning  a  prisoner  beside  the  Douro. 

"  How  came  you  here  ?  "  said  I,  m  a  low  voice,  to  him 
in  French. 

"  Escaped ;  one  of  my  own  men  threw  himself  between 
me  and  the  sentry ;  I  swam  the  Douro,  received  a  musket- 
ball  through  my  arm,  lost  my  shako,  and  here  I  am  ! " 

"  You  are  aware  you  are  again  a  prisoner  ?  " 

"  If  you  desire  it,  of  course  I  am,"  said  he,  in  a  voice  full 
of  feeling  that  made  my  very  heart  creep.  "I  thought 
you  were  a  party  of  Lorge's  Dragoons,  scouring  the  countiy 
for  forage  ;  tracked  you  the  entire  day,  and  have  only  now 
come  up  with  you." 

The  poor  fellow,  who  had  neither  eaten  nor  drunk  since 
daybreak,  wounded  and  footsore,  had  accomplished  twelve 
leagues  of  a  march  only  once  more  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  his  enemies.  His  years  could  scarcely  have  numbered 
nineteen ;  his  countenance  was  singularly  prepossessing ; 
and  though  bleeding  and  torn,  with  tattered  uniform,  and 
without  a  covering  to  his  head,  there  was  no  mistaking  for 


THE  WATCH-FIRE.  397 

a  moment  that  he  was  of  gentle  blood.  Xoiselessly  and 
cautiously  I  made  him  sit  down  beside  the  fire,  while  I 
.spread  before  him  the  sparing  remnant  of  my  last  night's 
supper,  and  shared  my  solitary  bottle  of  sherry  with  him. 

From  the  moment  he  spoke,  I  never  entertained  a 
thought  of  making  him  a  prisoner  ;  but  as  I  knew  not  how 
far  I  was  culpable  in  permitting,  if  not  actually  facilitating, 
his  escape,  I  resolved  to  keep  the  circumstance  a  secret 
from  my  party,  and  if  possible,  get  him  away  before 
daybreak. 

No  sooner  did  he  learn  my  intentions  regarding  him, 
than  in  an  instant  all  memory  of  his  past  misfortune,  all 
thoughts  of  his  present  destitute  condition,  seemed  to  have 
fled;  and  while  I  dressed  his  wound  and  bound  up  his 
shattered  arm,  he  chattered  away  as  unconcernedly  about 
the  past  and  the  future  as  though  seated  beside  the  fire  of 
his  own  bivouac,  and  surrounded  by  his  own  brother 
officers. 

"  You  took  us  by  surprise  the  other  day,"  said  he.  "  Our 
marshal  looked  for  the  attack  from  the  mouth  of  the  river ; 
we  received  information  that  your  ships  were  expected 
there.  In  any  case,  our  retreat  was  an  orderly  one,  and 
must  have  been  effected  with  slight  loss." 

I  smiled  at  the  self-complacency  of  this  reasoning,  but 
did  not  contradict  him. 

"Your  loss  must  indeed  have  been  great;  your  men 
crossed  under  the  fire  of  a  whole  battery." 

"Not  exactly,"  said  I;  "our  first  party  were  quietly 
stationed  in  Oporto  before  you  knew  anything  about  it." 

"Ah,  sacre  Dieu  !  Treachery ! "  cried  he,  striking  his 
forehead  with  his  clinched  fist. 

"  Not  so  ;  mere  daring,  —  nothing  more.  But  come,  tell 
me  something  of  your  own  adventures.  How  were  you 
taken  ?  " 

"  Simply  thus,  —  I  was  sent  to  the  rear  with  orders  to 
the  artillery  to  cut  their  traces,  and  leave  the  guns ;  and 
when  coming  back,  my  horse  grew  tired  in  the  heavy 
ground,  and  I  was  spurring  him  to  the  utmost,  when  one 
of  your  heavy  dragoons  —  an  officer,  too  —  dashed  at  me, 
and  actually  rode  me  down,  horse  and  all.     I  lay  for  some 


398  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

time  bruised  by  the  fall,  when  an  infantry  soldier  passing 
by  seized  me  by  the  collar,  and  brought  me  to  the  rear. 
No  matter,  howevei-,  here  I  am  now.  You  will  not  give 
me  up ;  and  perhaps  I  may  one  day  live  to  rej)ay  the 
kindness." 

"  You  have  not  long  joined  ?  " 

"  It  was  my  first  battle ;  my  epaulettes  were  very  smart 
things  yesterday,  though  they  do  look  a  little  passes  to-day. 
You  are  advancing,  I  suppose  ?  " 

I  smiled  without  answering  this  question. 

"  Ah,  I  see  you  don't  wish  to  speak.  Kever  mind,  your 
discretion  is  thrown  away  upon  me  ;  for  if  I  rejoined  my 
regiment  to-morrow,  I  should  have  forgotten  all  you  told 
me,  —  all  but  your  great  kindness."  These  last  words  he 
spoke,  bowing  slightly  his  head,  and  coloring  as  he  said 
them. 

"  You  are  a  dragoon,  I  think  ?  "  said  I,  endeavoring  to 
change  the  topic. 

"  I  was,  two  days  ago,  chasseur  a  cheval,  a  sous-lieutenant, 
in  the  regiment  of  my  father,  the  General  St.  Croix." 

"  The  name  is  familiar  to  me,"  I  replied,  "  and  I  am 
sincerely  happy  to  be  in  a  position  to  serve  the  son  of  so 
distinguished  an  officer." 

"  The  son  of  so  distinguished  an  officer  is  most  deeply 
obliged,  but  wishes  with  all  his  heart  and  soul  he  had 
never  sought  glory  under  such  very  excellent  auspices. 
You  look  surprised,  mon  cher ;  but  let  me  tell  you,  my 
military  ardor  is  considerably  abated  in  the  last  three 
days.  Hunger,  thirst,  imprisonment,  and  this  "  — lifting  his 
wounded  limb  as  he  spoke  —  "  are  sharp  lessons  in  so  short 
a  campaign,  and  for  one  too,  whose  life  hitherto  had  much 
more  of  ease  than  adventure  to  boast  of.  Shall  I  tell  you 
how  I  became  a  soldier  ?  " 

"  By  all  means ;  give  me  your  glass  first ;  and  now,  with 
a  fresh  log  to  the  fire,  I  'm  your  man." 

"  But  stay ;  before  I  begin,  look  to  this." 

The  blood  was  flowing  rapidly  from  his  wound,  which 
with  some  difficulty  I  succeeded  in  stanching.  He  drank 
off  his  wine  hastily,  held  out  his  glass  to  be  refilled,  and 
then  began  his  story. 


THE   WATCH-FIRE.  399 

"  You  have  never  seen  the  Emperor  ?  " 

*'  Never." 

"  Sacrebleu  !  What  a  man  he  is  !  I  'd  rather  stand  under 
the  fire  of  your  grenadiers,  than  meet  his  eye.  When  in 
a  passion,  he  does  not  say  much,  it  is  true  ;  but  what  he 
does,  comes  with  a  kind  of  hissing,  rushing  sound,  while 
the  very  fire  seems  to  kindle  in  his  look.  I  have  him  be- 
fore me  this  instant,  and  though  you  will  confess  that  my 
present  condition  has  nothing  very  pleasing  in  it,  I  should 
be  sorry  indeed  to  change  it  for  the  last  time  I  stood  in 
his  presence.  . 

"  Two  months  ago  I  sported  the  gay  light-blue  and  silver 
of  a  page  to  the  Emperor,  and  certainly,  what  with  balls, 
bonbons,  flirtation,  gossip,  and  champagne  suppers,  led  a 
very  gay,  reckless,  and  indolent  life  of  it.  Somehow,  — 
I  may  tell  you  more  accurately  at  another  period,  if  we 
ever  meet,  —  I  got  myself  into  disgrace,  and  as  a  punish- 
ment, was  ordered  to  absent  myself  from  the  Tuileries, 
and  retire  for  some  weeks  to  Fontainebleau.  Siberia  to  a 
Kussian  would  scarcely  be  a  heavier  infliction  than  was 
this  banishment  to  me.  There  was  no  court,  no  levee,  no 
military  parade,  no  ball,  no  opera.  A  small  household  of 
the  Emperor's  chosen  servants  quietly  kept  house  there. 
The  gloomy  walls  re-echoed  to  no  music ;  the  dark  alleys 
of  the  dreary  garden  seemed  the  very  impersonation  of 
solitude  and  decay.  Nothing  broke  the  dull  monotony  of 
the  tiresome  day,  except  when  occasionally,  near  sunset, 
the  clash  of  the  guard  would  be  heard  turning  out,  and 
the  clank  of  presenting  arms,  followed  by  the  roll  of  a 
heavy  carriage  into  the  gloomy  courtyard.  One  lamp, 
shining  like  a  star,  in  a  small  chamber  on  the  second  floor, 
would  remain  till  near  foi;r,  sometimes  five  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  The  same  sounds  of  the  guard  and  the  same 
dull  roll  of  the  carriage  would  break  the  stillness  of  the 
early  morning ;  and  the  Emperor  —  for  it  was  he  —  would 
be  on  his  road  back  to  Paris. 

"  We  never  saw  him,  —  I  say  we,  for  like  myself  some 
half-dozen  others  were  also  there,  expiating  their  follies  by 
a  life  of  cheerless  ennui. 

"  It  was  upon  a  calm  evening  in  April,  we  sat  together 


400  CHARLES  0':\rALLEY. 

chatting  over  the  various  misdeeds  which  had  consigned  us 
to  exile,  when  some  one  proposed,  by  way  of  passing  the 
time,  that  we  should  visit  the  small  flower-garden  that  was 
parted  off  from  the  rest,  and  reserved  for  the  Emperor  alone. 
It  was  already  beyond  the  hour  he  usually  came ;  besides 
that,  even  should  he  arrive,  there  was  abundant  time  to  get 
back  before  he  could  possibly  reach  it.  The  garden  we  had 
often  seen,  but  there  was  something  in  the  fact  that  our 
going  there  was  a  transgression  that  so  pleased  us  all  that 
we  agreed  at  once  and  set  forth.  For  above  an  hour  we 
loitered  about  the  lonely  and  deserted  walks,  where  already 
the  Emperor's  foot-tracks  had  worn  a  marked  pathway,  when 
we  grew  weary  and  were  about  to  return,  just  as  one  of  the 
party  suggested,  half  in  ridicule  of  the  sanctity  of  the  spot, 
that  we  should  have  a  game  of  leap-frog  ere  we  left  it.  The 
idea  pleased  us  and  was  at  once  adopted.  Our  plan  was 
this,  —  each  person  stationed  himself  in  some  by -walk  or 
alley,  and  waited  till  the  other,  whose  turn  it  was,  came  and 
leaped  over  him;  so  that,  besides  the  activity  displayed, 
there  was  a  knowledge  of  the  locale  necessary ;  for  to  any 
one  passed  over  a  forfeit  was  to  be  paid.  Our  game  began 
at  once,  and  certainly  I  doubt  if  ever  those  green  alleys  and 
shady  groves  rang  to  such  hearty  laughter.  Here  would  be 
seen  a  couple  rolling  over  together  on  the  grass ;  there  some 
luckless  wight  counting  out  his  pocket-money  to  pay  his 
penalty.  The  hours  passed  quietly  over,  and  the  moon 
rose,  and  at  last  it  came  to  my  turn  to  make  the  tour  of 
the  garden.  As  I  was  supposed  to  know  all  its  intricacies 
better  than  the  rest,  a  longer  time  was  given  for  them  to 
conceal  themselves ;  at  length  the  word  was  given,  and  I 
started. 

"Anxious  to  acquit  myself  well,  I  hurried  along  at  top 
speed,  but  guess  my  surprise  to  discover  that  nowhere  could 
I  find  one  of  my  companions.  Down  one  walk  I  scampered, 
up  another,  across  a  third,  but  all  was  still  and  silent ;  not 
a  sound,  not  a  breath,  could  I  detect.  There  was  still  one 
part  of  the  garden  unexplored ;  it  was  a  small  open  space 
before  a  little  pond  which  usually  contained  the  gold  fish 
the  Emperor  was  so  fond  of.  Thither  I  bent  my  steps,  and 
had  not  gone  far  when  in  the  pale  moonlight  I  saw,  at 


THE   WATCH-FIRE.  401 

ifength,  one  of  my  companions  waiting  patiently  for  my 
coming,  his  head  bent  forward  and  his  shoulders  rounded. 
Anxious  to  repay  him  for  my  own  disappointment,  I  crept 
silently  forward  on  tiptoe  till  quite  near  him,  when,  rushing 
madly  ou,  I  sprang  upon  his  back ;  just,  however,  as  I  rose 
to  leap  over,  he  raised  his  head,  and,  staggered  by  the  im- 
pulse of  my  spring,  he  was  thrown  forward,  and  after  an 
ineffectual  effort  to  keep  his  legs  fell  fiat  upon  his  face  in 
the  grass.  Bursting  with  laughter,  I  fell  over  him  on  the 
ground,  and  was  turning  to  assist  him,  when  suddenly  he 
sprang  .upon  his  feet,  and  —  horror  of  horrors!  —  it  was 
Napoleon  himself;  his  usually  pale  features  were  purple 
with  rage,  but  not  a  Avord,  not  a  syllable  escaped  him. 

"  '  Qui  etes  vous  ? '  said  he,  at  length. 

" '  St.  Croix,  Sire,'  said  I,  still  kneeling  before  him,  while 
my  very  heart  leaped  into  my  mouth. 

" '  St.  Croix  !  toujours  St.  Croix !  Come  here  ;  approach 
me,'  cried  he,  in  a  voice  of  stifled  passion. 

"  I  rose ;  but  before  I  could  take  a  step  forward  he  sprang 
at  me,  and  tearing  off  my  epaulettes  trampled  them  beneath 
his  feet,  and  then  he  shouted  out,  rather  than  spoke,  the 
word  '  Allez  !  ' 

"  I  did  not  wait  for  a  second  intimation,  but  clearing  the 
paling  at  a  spring,  was  many  a  mile  from  Fontainebleau 
before  daybreak." 


VOL.  I.  —  2€ 


CHAPTER  LL 

THE    MARCH. 

Twice  the  revell  sounded;  the  horses  champed  impa- 
tiently their  heavy  bits ;  my  men  stood  waiting  for  the 
order  to  mount,  ere  I  coukl  arouse  myself  from  the  deep 
sleep  I  had  fallen  into.  The  young  Frenchman  and  his 
story  were  in  my  dreams,  and  when  I  awoke,  his  figure,  as 
he  lay  sleeping  beside  the  wood  embers,  was  the  first  object 
I  perceived.  There  he  lay,  to  all  seeming  as  forgetful  of 
his  fate  as  though  he  still  inhabited  the  gorgeous  halls  and 
gilded  saloons  of  the  Tuileries  ;  his  pale  and  handsome 
features  wore  even  a  placid  smile  as,  doubtless,  some  dream 
of  other  days  flitted  across  him ;  his  long  hair  waved  in 
luxurious  curls  upon  his  neck,  and  his  light-brown  mus- 
tache, slightly  curled  at  the  top,  gave  to  his  mild  and  youth- 
ful features  an  air  of  saucy  fierte  that  heightened  their 
effect.  A  narrow  blue  ribbon  which  he  wore  round  his 
throat  gently  peeped  from  his  open  bosom.  I  could  not 
resist  the  curiosity  I  felt  to  see  what  it  meant,  and  drawing 
it  softly  forth,  I  perceived  that  a  small  miniature  was  at- 
tached to  it.  It  was  beautifully  painted,  and  surrounded 
with  brilliants  of  some  value.  One  glance  showed  me,  — 
for  I  had  seen  more  than  one  engraving  before  of  her,  — 
that  it  was  the  portrait  of  the  Empress  Josephine.  Poor 
boy  !  he  doubtless  was  a  favorite  at  court ;  indeed,  every- 
thing in  his  air  and  manner  bespoke  him  such.  I  gently 
replaced  the  precious  locket  and  turned  from  the  spot  to 
think  over  what  was  best  to  be  done  for  him.  Knowing  the 
vindictive  feeling  of  the  Portuguese  towards  their  invaders, 
I  feared  to  take  Pietro,  our  guide,  into  my  confidence.  I 
accordingly  summoned  my  man  Mike  to  my  aid,  who,  with 
all  his  country's  readiness,  soon  found  out  an  expedient. 
It  was  to  pretend  to  Pietro  that  the  prisoner  was  merely  an 
English  officer  who  had  made  his  escape  from  the  French 


THE  MARCH.  403 

army,  in  whicli,  against  his  will,  he  had  been  serving  for 
some  time. 

This  plan  succeeded  perfectly;  and  when  St.  Croix, 
mounted  upon  one  of  my  led  horses,  set  out  upon  his 
march  beside  me,  none  was  more  profuse  of  his  attentions 
than  the  dark-brown  guide  whose  hatred  of  a  Frenchman 
was  beyond  belief. 

By  thus  giving  him  safe  conduct  through  Portugal,  I 
knew  that  when  we  reached  the  frontier  he  could  easily 
manage  to  come  up  with  some  part  of  Marshal  Victor's 
force,  the  advanced  guard  of  which  lay  on  the  left  bank  of 
the  Tagus. 

To  me  the  companionship  was  the  greatest  boon ;  the  gay 
and  buoyant  spirit  that  no  reverse  of  fortune,  no  untoward 
event,  could  subdue,  lightened  many  an  hour  of  the  journey ; 
and  though  at  times  the  gasconading  tone  of  the  Frenchman 
would  peep  through,  there  was  still  such  a  fund  of  good- 
tempered  raillery  in  all  he  said  that  it  was  impossible  to 
feel  angry  with  him.  His  implicit  faith  in  the  Emperor's 
invincibility  also  amused  me.  Of  the  unbounded  confidence 
of  the  nation  in  general,  and  the  army  particularly,  in  Na- 
poleon, I  had  till  then  no  conception.  It  was  not  that  in  the 
profound  skill  and  immense  resources  of  the  general  they 
trusted,  but  they  actually  regarded  him  as  one  placed  above 
all  the  common  accidents  of  fortune,  and  revered  him  as 
something  more  than  human. 

"  11  viendra  et  puis  —  "  was  the  continued  exclamation  of 
the  young  Frenchman.  Any  notion  of  our  successfully  re- 
sisting the  overwhelming  might  of  the  Emperor,  he  would 
have  laughed  to  scorn,  and  so  I  let  him  go  on  prophesying 
our  future  misfortunes  till  the  time  when,  driven  back  upon 
Lisbon,  we  should  be  compelled  to  evacuate  the  Peninsula, 
and  under  favor  of  a  convention  be  permitted  to  return  to 
England.  All  this  was  sufficiently  ridiculous,  coming  from 
a  youth  of  nineteen,  wounded,  in  misery,  a  prisoner ;  but 
further  experience  of  his  nation  has  shown  me  that  St. 
Croix  was  not  the  exception,  but  the  rule.  The  conviction 
in  the  ultimate  success  of  their  ^rmy,  whatever  be  the 
merely  momentary  mishap,  is  the  one  present  thought  of 
a  Frenchman ;  a  victory  with  them  is  a  conquest ;  a  defeat, 


404 


CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 


—  if  they  are  by  any  chance  driven  to  acknowledge  one,  — 
a  fatalite. 

I  was  too  young  a  man,  and  still  more,  too  young  a  soldier, 
to  bear  with  this  absurd  affectation  of  superiority  as  I  ought, 
and  consequently  was  glad  to  wander,  whenever  I  could, 
from  the  contested  point  of  our  national  superiority  to  other 
topics.  St.  Croix,  although  young,  had  seen  much  of  the 
world  as  a  page  in  the  splendid  court  of  tlie  Tuileries ;  the 
scenes  passing  before  his  eyes  were  calculated  to  make  a 


.-^ja; 


strong  impression ;  and  by  many  an  anecdote  of  his  former 
life,  he  lightened  the  road  as  we  passed  along. 

'*  You  promised,  by-the-bye,  to  tell  me  of  your  banishment. 
How  did  that  occur,  St.  Croix  ?  " 

"  Ah,  par  Dleu  /  that  was  an  unfortunate  affair  for  me ; 
then  began  all  my  misliaps.  But  for  that,  I  should  never 
have  been  sent  to  rontaine])leau ;  never  have  played  leap- 
frog with  the  Emperor;  never  have  been  sent  a  soldier  into 
Spain.     True,"  said  he,  laughing,  "  I  should  never  have  had 


THE  MARCH.  405 

the  happiness  of  your  acquaintance.  But  still,  I  'd  much 
rather  have  met  you  first  in  the  Place  des  Victoires  than  in 
the  Estrella  Mountains." 

"  Who  knows  ?  "  said  I ;  "  perhaps  your  good  genius  pre- 
vailed in  all  this." 

"  Perhaps,"  said  he,  interrupting  me  ;  "  that 's  exactly 
what  the  Empress  said,  —  she  was  my  godmother,  — '  Jules 
will  be  a  Marechal  de  France  yet.'  But  certainly,  it  must 
be  confessed,  I  have  made  a  bad  beginning.  However,  you 
wish  to  hear  of  ray  disgrace  at  court.  Allans  done.  But 
had  we  not  better  wait  for  a  halt  ?  " 

"Agreed,"  said  I;  "and  so  let  us  now  press  forward." 


CHAPTER  LII. 

THE    PAGE. 

Under  the  deep  shade  of  some  tall  trees,  sheltered  from 
the  noonday  sun,  we  lay  down  to  rest  ourselves  and  enjoy  a 
most  patriarchal  dinner,  —  some  dry  biscuits,  a  few  bunches 
of  grapes,  and  a  little  weak  wine,  savoring  more  of  the 
borachio-skin  than  the  vine-juice,  were  all  we  boasted;  yet 
they  were  not  ungrateful  at  such  a  time  and  place. 

"  Whose  health  did  you  pledge  then  ? "  inquired  St. 
Croix,  with  a  half-malicious  smile,  as  I  raised  the  glass 
silently  to  my  lips. 

I  blushed  deeply,  and  looked  confused. 

"  A  ses  beux  yeux  !  whoever  she  be,"  said  he,  gayly  tossing 
off  his  wine ;  "  and  now,  if  you  feel  disposed,  I  '11  tell  you 
my  story.  In  good  truth,  it  is  not  worth  relating,  but  it 
may  serve  to  set  you  asleep,  at  all  events. 

"  I  have  already  told  you  I  was  a  page.  Alas,  the  im- 
pressions you  may  feel  of  that  functionary,  from  having 
seen  Cherubino,  give  but  a  faint  notion  of  him  when  per- 
taining to  the  household  of  the  Emperor  Napoleon. 

"  The  farfallone  amoroso  basked  in  the  soft  smiles  and 
sunny  looks  of  the  Countess  Almaviva ;  we  met  but  the  cold, 
impassive  look  of  Talleyrand,  the  piercing  and  penetrating 
stare  of  Savary,  or  the  ambiguous  smile,  half  menace,  half 
mockery,  of  ]\Ionsieur  Fouch^.  While  on  service,  our  days 
were  passed  in  the  antechamber,  beside  the  salle  d^audience 
of  the  Emperor,  reclining  against  the  closed  door,  watching 
attentively  for  the  gentle  tinkle  of  the  little  bell  which  sum- 
moned us  to  open  for  the  exit  of  some  haughty  diplomate,  or 
the  entree  of  some  redoubted  general.  Thus  passed  we  the 
weary  hours ;  the  illustrious  visitors  by  whom  we  were  sur- 
rounded had  no  novelty,  consequently  no  attraction  for  us, 
and  the  names  already  historical  were  but  household  words 
with  us. 


THE   PAGE.  407 

"  We  often  remarked,  too,  the  proud,  and  distant  bearing 
the  Emperor  assumed  towards  those  of  his  generals  who 
had  been  liis  former  companions-in-arms.  Whatever  famil- 
iarity or  freedom  may  have  existed  in  the  campaign  or  in 
the  battle-field,  the  air  of  the  Tuileries  certainly  chilled  it. 
I  have  often  heard  that  the  ceremonious  observances  and 
rigid  etiquette  of  the  old  Bourbon  court  were  far  prefer- 
able to  the  stern  reserve  and  unbending  stiffness  of  the 
imperial  one. 

'^  The  antechamber  is  but  the  reflection  of  the  reception- 
room  ;  and  whatever  be  the  whims,  the  caprices,  the  little- 
ness of  the  Great  Man,  they  are  speedily  assumed  by  his 
inferiors,  and  the  dark  temper  of  one  casts  a  lowering 
shadow  on  every  menial  by  whom  he  is  surrounded. 

"  As  for  us,  we  were  certainly  not  long  in  catching  some- 
what of  the  spirit  of  the  Emperor ;  and  I  doubt  much  if 
the  impertinence  of  the  waiting-room  was  not  more  dreaded 
and  detested  than  the  abrupt  speech  and  searching  look  of 
Napoleon  himself. 

"What  a  malicious  pleasure  have  I  not  felt  in  arrest- 
ing the  step  of  M.  de  Talleyrand,  as  he  approached  the  Em- 
peror's closet !  With  what  easy  insolence  have  I  lisped  out, 
*  Pardon,  Monsieur,  but  his  Majesty  cannot  receive  you,'  or 
'Monsieur  le  Due,  his  Majesty  has  given  no  orders  for  your 
admission.'  How  amusing  it  was  to  watch  the  baffled  look 
of  each,  as  he  retired  once  more  to  his  place  among  the 
crowd,  the  wily  diplomate  covering  his  chagrin  with  a  prac- 
tised smile,  while  the  stern  marshal  would  blush  to  his  very 
eyes  with  indignation !  This  was  the  great  pleasure  our 
position  afforded  us,  and  with  a  boyish  spirit  of  mischief, 
we  cultivated  it  to  perfection,  and  became  at  last  the  very 
horror  and  detestation  of  all  who  frequented  the  levees  ; 
and  the  ambassador  whose  fearless  voice  was  heard  among 
the  councils  of  kings  became  soft  and  conciliating  in  his 
approaches  to  us ;  and  the  hardy  general  who  would  have 
charged  upon  a  brigade  of  artillery  was  timid  as  a  girl  in 
addressing  us  a  mere  question. 

"  Among  the  amiable  class  thus  characterized  I  was  most 
conspicuous,  preserving  cautiously  a  tone  of  civility  that 
left  nothing  openly  to  complain  of.     I  assumed  an  indif- 


408  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

ference  and  impartiality  of  manner  that  no  exigency  of 
affairs,  no  pressing  haste,  could  discompose  or  disturb  ; 
and  my  bow  of  recognition  to  Soult  or  Massena  was  as 
coolly  measured  as  my  monosyllabic  answer  was  accurately 
conned  over. 

"  Upon  ordinary  occasions  the  Emperor  at  the  close  of 
each  person's  audience  rang  his  little  bell  for  the  admission 
of  the  next  in  order  as  they  arrived  in  the  waiting-room  ; 
yet  when  anything  important  was  under  consideration,  a 
list  was  given  us  m  the  morning  of  the  names  to  be  pre- 
sented in  rotation,  which  no  casual  circumstance  was  ever 
suffered  to  interfere  with. 

"  It  is  now  about  four  months  since,  one  fine  morning, 
such  a  list  was  placed  within  my  hands.  His  Majesty  was 
just  then  occupied  with  an  inquiry  into  the  naval  force  of 
the  kingdom ;  and  as  I  cast  my  eyes  carelessly  over  the 
names,  I  read  little  el^  than  Vice-Admiral  So-and-so,  Com- 
mander Such-a-one,  and  Chef  d'Escardron  Such-another,  and 
the  levee  presented  accordingly,  instead  of  its  usual  bril- 
liant array  of  gorgeous  uniform  and  aiguilletted  marshals, 
the  simple  blue-and-gold  of  the  naval  service. 

"  The  marine  was  not  in  high  favor  with  the  Emperor ; 
and  truly,  my  reception  of  these  unfrequent  visitors  was 
anything  but  flattering.  The  early  part  of  the  morning 
was,  as  usual,  occupied  by  the  audience  of  the  Minister  of 
Police,  and  the  Due  de  Bassano,  who  evidently,  from  the 
length  of  time  they  remained,  had  matter  of  importance  to 
communicate.  Meanwhile  the  antechamber  filled  rapidly, 
and  before  noon  was  actually  crowded.  It  was  just  at  this 
moment  that  the  folding-door  slowly  opened,  and  a  figure 
entered,  such  as  I  had  never  before  seen  in  our  brilliant 
saloon.  He  was  a  man  of  five  or  six  and  fifty,  short,  thick- 
set, and  strongly  built,  with  a  bronzed  and  weather-beaten 
face,  and  a  broad  open  forehead  deeply  scarred  with  a  sabre- 
cut  ;  a  shaggy  gray  mustache  curled  over  and  concealed 
his  mouth,  while  eyebrows  of  the  same  color  sliaded  his 
dark  and  piercing  eyes.  His  dress  was  a  coarse  cut  of  blue 
cloth  such  as  the  fishermen  wear  in  Bretagne,  fastened  at 
the  waist  by  a  broad  belt  of  black  leather,  from  which  hung 
a  short-bladed  cutlass  j  his  loose  trousers,  of  the  same  ma* 


THE  PAGE.  409 

terial,  were  turned  up  at  the  ankles  to  show  a  pair  of  strong 
legs  coarsely  cased  in  blue  stockings  and  thick-soled  shoes. 
A  broad-leaved  oil-skin  hat  was  held  in  one  hand,  and  the 
other  stuck  carelessly  in  his  pocket,  as  he  entered.  He 
came  in  with  a  careless  air,  and  familiarly  saluting  one  or 
two  officers  in  the  room,  he  sat  himself  down  near  the  door, 
appearing  lost  in  his  own  reflections. 

"  '  Who  can  you  be,  my  worthy  friend  ?  '  was  my  ques- 
tion to  myself  as  I  surveyed  this  singular  apparition.  At 
the  same  time,  casting  my  eyes  down  the  list,  I  perceived 
that  several  pilots  of  the  coast  of  Havre,  Calais,  and  Bou- 
logne had  been  summoned  to  Paris  to  give  some  information 
upon  the  soundings  and  depth  of  water  along  the  shore. 

"  'Ha,'  thought  I, ' I  have  it.  The  good  man  has  mistaken 
his  place,  and  instead  of  remaining  without,  has  walked 
boldly  forward  to  the  antechamber,' 

"  There  was  something  so  strange  and  so  original  in  the 
grim  look  of  the  old  fellow,  as  he  sat  there  alone,  that  I 
suffered  him  to  remain  quietly  in  his  delusion,  rather  than 
order  him  back  to  the  waiting-room  without  ;  besides,  I 
perceived  that  a  kind  of  sensation  was  created  among 
the  others  by  his  appearance  there,  which  amused  me 
greatly. 

"  As  the  day  wore  on,  the  officers  formed  into  little  groups 
of  three  or  four,  chatting  together  in  an  undertone,  —  all 
save  the  old  pilot.  He  had  taken  a  huge  tobacco-box  from 
his  capacious  breast-pocket,  and  inserting  an  immense  piece 
of  the  bitter  weed  in  his  mouth,  began  to  chew  it  as  leisurely 
as  though  he  were  walking  the  quarter-deck.  The  cool 
insouciance  of  such  a  proceeding  amused  me  much,  and  I 
resolved  to  draw  him  out  a  little.  His  strong,  broad  Ike- 
ton  features,  his  deep  voice,  his  dry,  blunt  manner,  were  all 
in  admirable  keeping  Avith  his  exterior. 

"  'Par  Dieu,  my  lad,'  said  he,  after  chatting  some  time, 
'  had  you  not  better  tell  the  Emperor  that  I  am  waiting  ? 
It's  now  past  noon,  and  I  must  eat  something.' 

"  'Have  a  little  patience/  said  I ;  'his  Majesty  is  going 
to  invite  you  to  dinner.' 

" '  Be  it  so,'  said  he,  gravely ;  '  provided  the  hour  be  an 
early  one,  I  'm  his  man.' 


410  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  With  difficulty  did  I  keep  down  my  laughter  as  he  said 
this,  and  continued. 

"  '  So  y©u  know  the  Emperor  already,  it  seems  ?  ' 

"  '  Yes,  that  I  do  !  I  remember  him  when  he  was  no  higher 
than  yourself.' 

"  '  How  delighted  he  '11  be  to  find  you  here  !  I  hope  you 
have  brought  up  some  of  your  family  with  you,  as  the  Em- 
peror would  be  so  flattered  by  it  ? ' 

"  '  No,  I  've  left  them  at  home.  This  place  don't  suit  us 
over  well.  We  have  plenty  to  do  besides  spending  our  time 
and  money  among  all  you  fine  folks  here.' 

"  '  And  not  a  bad  life  of  it,  either,'  added  I,  '  fishing  for 
cod  and  herrings,  —  stripping  a  \vreck  now  and  then,' 

"  He  stared  at  me,  as  I  said  this,  like  a  tiger  on  the  spring, 
but  spoke  not  a  word. 

"  '  And  how  many  young  sea-wolves  may  you  have  in  your 
den  at  home  ?  ' 

"  '  Six ;  and  all  of  them  able  to  carry  you  with  one  hand, 
at  arm's  length.' 

"  '  I  have  no  doubt.  I  shall  certainly  not  test  their  abil- 
ity.    But  you  yourself,  — how  do  you  like  the  capital  ? ' 

"  '  Not  over  well ;  and  I  '11  tell  you  why  — ' 

"  As  he  said  this  the  door  of  the  audience-chamber  opened, 
and  the  Emperor  appeared.  His  eyes  flashed  fire  as  he  looked 
hurriedly  around  the  room. 

"  *  Who  is  in  waiting  here  ?  ' 

"  '  I  am,  please  your  Majesty,'  said  I,  bowing  deeply,  as  I 
started  from  my  seat. 

"  '  And  where  is  the  Admiral  Truguet  ?  Why  was  he  not 
admitted  ? ' 

"'Not  present,  your  Majesty,'  said  I,  trembling  with 
fear. 

"  '  Hold  there,  young  fellow ;  not  so  fast.     Here  he  is.' 

"'Ah,  Truguet,  mon  ami/'  cried  the  Emperor,  placing 
both  hands  on  the  old  fellow's  shoulders,  'how  long  have 
you  been  in  waiting  ? ' 

"  '  Two  hours  and  a  half,'  said  he,  producing  in  evidence  a 
watch  like  a  saucer. 

"  '  What,  two  hours  and  a  half,  and  I  not  know  it ! ' 

"  '  No  matter;  I  am  always  happy  to  serve  your  Majesty. 


THE  PAGE.  411 

But  if  that  fine  fellow  had  not  told  me  that  you  were  going 
to  ask  me  to  dinner  — ' 

"  '  He  !  He  said  so,  did  he  ?  '  said  Napoleon,  turning  on 
me  a  glance  like  a  wild  beast.  '  Yes,  Truguet,  so  I  am  ;  you 
shall  dine  with  me  to-day.  And  you,  sir,'  said  he,  dropping 
his  voice  to  a  whisper,  as  he  came  closer  towards  me, — 
'  and  you  have  dared  to  speak  thus  ?  Call  in  a  guard  there. 
Capitaine,  put  this  person  under  arrest ;  he  is  disgraced. 
He  is  no  longer  page  of  the  palace.  Out  of  my  presence  ! 
away,  sir  ! ' 

"  The  room  wheeled  round  ;  my  legs  tottered ;  my  senses 
reeled  ;  and  I  saw  no  more. 

"  Three  weeks'  bread  and  water  in  St.  Pelagie,  however, 
brought  me  to  my  recollection  ;  and  at  last  ray  kind,  my 
more  than  kind  friend,  the  Empress,  obtained  my  pardon, 
and  sent  me  to  Fontainebleau,  till  the  Emperor  should  forget 
all  about  it.  How  I  contrived  again  to  refresh  his  memory 
I  have  already  told  you  ;  and  certainly  you  will  acknowl- 
edge that  I  have  not  been  fortunate  in  my  interviews  with 
Napoleon." 

I  am  conscious  how  much  St.  Croix's  story  loses  in  my 
telling.  The  simple  expressions,  the  grace  of  the  narrative, 
were  its  charm ;  and  these,  alas  !  I  can  neither  translate  nor 
imitate,  no  more  than  I  can  convey  the  strange  mixture  of 
deep  feeling  and  levity,  shrewdness  and  simplicity,  that  con- 
stituted the  manner  of  the  narrator. 

With  many  a  story  of  his  courtly  career  he  amused  me 
as  we  trotted  along ;  when,  towards  nightfall  of  the  third 
day,  a  peasant  informed  us  that  a  body  of  French  cavalry 
occupied  the  convent  of  San  Cristoval,  about  three  leagues 
off.  The  opportunity  of  his  return  to  his  own  army  pleased 
him  far  less  than  I  expected.  He  heard,  without  any  show 
of  satisfaction,  that  the  time  of  his  liberation  had  arrived ; 
and  when  the  moment  of  leave-taking  drew  near,  he  became 
deeply  affected. 

■  ^^  Eh,  hien,  Charles,"  said  he,  smiling  sadly  through  his 
dimmed  and  tearful  eyes.  ''You've  been  a  kind  friend 
to  me.  Is  the  time  never  to  come  when  I  can  repay 
you  ?  " 

"  Yes,  yes ;  we  '11  meet  again,  be  assured  of  it.     Mean- 


412  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

while  there  is  one  way  you  can  more  than  repay  anything 
I  have  done  for  you." 

"  Oh,  name  it  at  once  !  " 

"  Many  a  brave  fellow  of  ours  is  now,  and  doubtless  many 
more  Avill  be,  prisoners  with  your  army  in  this  war.  When- 
ever, therefore,  your  lot  brings  you  in  contact  with  such  —  " 

"  They  shall  be  my  brothers,"  said  he,  sj^ringing  towards 
me  and  throwing  his  arms  round  my  neck.  "Adieu,  adieu  !  " 
With  that  he  rushed  from  the  spot,  and  before  I  could  speak 
again,  was  mounted  upon  the  peasant's  horse  and  waving  his 
hand  to  me  in  farewell. 

I  looked  after  him  as  he  rode  at  a  fast  gallop  down  the 
slope  of  the  green  mountain,  the  noise  of  the  horse's  feet 
echoing  along  the  silent  plain.  I  turned  at  length  to  leave 
the  spot,  and  then  perceived  for  the  first  time  that  when 
taking  his  farewell  of  me  he  had  hung  around  my  neck  his 
miniature  of  the  Empress.  Poor  boy  !  How  sorrowful  I  felt 
thus  to  rob  him  of  what  he  had  held  so  dear  !  How  gladly 
would  I  have  overtaken  him  to  restore  it !  It  was  the  only 
keepsake  he  possessed ;  and  knowing  that  I  would  not  accept 
it  if  offered,  he  took  this  way  of  compelling  me  to  keep  it. 

Through  the  long  hours  of  the  summer's  night  I  thought 
of  him  ;  and  when  at  last  I  slept,  towards  morning,  my  first 
thought  on  waking  was  of  the  solitary  day  before  me.  The 
miles  no  longer  slipped  imperceptibly  along ;  no  longer  did 
the  noon  and  night  seem  fast  to  follow.  Alas,  that  one 
should  grow  old !  The  very  sorrows  of  our  early  years  have 
something  soft  and  touching  in  them.  Arising  less  from 
deep  wrong  than  slight  mischances,  the  grief  they  cause 
comes  ever  with  an  alloy  of  pleasant  thoughts,  telling  of 
the  tender  past,  and  amidst  the  tears  called  up,  forming  some 
bright  rainbow  of  future  hope. 

Poor  St.  Croix  had  already  won  greatly  upon  me,  and  I 
felt  lonely  and  desolate  when  he  departed. 


CHAPTER   LIII. 

ALVAS. 

XoTHiNG  of  incident  marked  our  fartlier  progress  to- 
wards the  frontier  of  Spain,  and  at  length  we  reached  the 
small  town  of  Alvas.  It  was  past  sunset  as  we  arrived, 
and  instead  of  the  usual  quiet  and  repose  of  a  little  village, 
we  found  the  streets  crowded  with  people,  on  horseback 
and  on  foot ;  mules,  bullocks,  carts,  and  wagons  blocked 
up  the  way,  and  the  oaths  of  the  drivers  and  the  screaming 
of  Avomen  and  children  resounded  on  all  sides. 

With  what  little  Spanish  I  possessed  I  questioned  some 
of  those  near  me,  and  learned,  in  reply,  that  a  dreadful 
engagement  had  taken  place  that  day  between  the  advanced 
guard  of  the  French,  under  Victor,  and  the  Lusitanian 
legion ;  that  the  Portuguese  troops  had  been  beaten  and 
completely  routed,  losing  all  their  artillery  and  baggage ; 
that  the  French  were  rapidly  advancing,  and  expected 
hourl}^  to  arrive  at  Alvas,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
terror-stricken  inhabitants  were  packing  up  their  posses- 
sions and  hurrying  away. 

Here,  then,  was  a  point  of  considerable  difficulty  for  me 
at  once.  My  instructions  had  never  provided  for  such  a 
conjuncture,  and  I  was  totally  unable  to  determine  what  was 
best  to  be  done ;  both  my  men  and  their  horses  were  com- 
pletely tired  by  a  march  of  fourteen  leagues,  and  had  a 
pressing  need  of  some  rest ;  on  every  side  of  me  the  prepa- 
rations for  flight  were  proceeding  with  all  the  speed  that 
fear  inspires ;  and  to  my  urgent  request  for  some  informa- 
tion as  to  food  and  shelter,  I  could  obtain  no  other  reply 
than  muttered  menaces  of  the  fate  before  me  if  I  remained, 
and  exaggerated  accounts  of  French  cruelty. 

Amidst  all  this  bustle  and  confusion  a  tremendous  fall 
of  heavy  rain  set  in,  which  at  once  determined  me,  come 


414  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

what  might,  to  house  my  party,  and  provide  forage  for  our 
horses. 

As  we  pushed  our  way  slowly  through  the  encumbered 
streets,  looking  on  every  side  for  some  appearance  of  a 
village  inn,  a  tremendous  shout  rose  in  our  rear,  and  a  rush 
of  the  people  towards  us  induced  us  to  suppose  that  the 
French  were  upon  us.  For  some  minutes  the  din  and  up- 
roar were  terrific,  —  the  clatter  of  horses'  feet,  the  braying 
of  trumpets,  the  yelling  of  the  mob,  all  mingling  in  one 
frightful  concert. 

I  formed  my  men  in  close  column,  and  waited  steadily 
for  the  attack,  resolving,  if  possible,  to  charge  through  the 
advancing  files,  —  any  retreat  through  the  crowded  and 
blocked-up  thoroughfares  being  totally  out  of  the  question. 
The  rain  was  falling  in  such  torrents  that  nothing  could  be 
seen  a  few  yards  off,  when  suddenly  a  pause  of  a  few 
seconds  occurred,  and  from  the  clash  of  accoutrements, 
and  the  hoarse  tones  of  a  loud  voice,  I  judged  that  the 
body  of  men  before  us  were  forming  for  attack. 

Resolving,  therefore,  to  take  them  by  surprise,  I  gave  the 
word  to  charge,  and  spurring  our  jaded  cattle,  onward  we 
dashed.  The  mob  fled  right  and  left  from  us  as  we  came 
on ;  and  through  the  dense  mist  we  could  just  perceive  a 
body  of  cavalry  before  us. 

In  an  instant  we  were  among  them  ;  down  they  w^ent  on 
every  side,  men  and  horses  rolling  pell-mell  over  each 
other ;  not  a  blow,  not  a  shot  striking  us  as  we  pressed  on. 
Never  did  I  witness  such  total  consternation  ;  some  threw 
themselves  from  their  horses,  and  fled  towards  the  houses ; 
others  turned  and  tried  to  fall  back,  but  the  increasing 
pressure  from  behind  held  them,  and  finally  succeeded  in 
blocking  us  up  among  them. 

It  was  just  at  this  critical  moment  that  a  sudden  gleam 
of  light  from  a  window  fell  \ipon  the  disordered  mass,  and 
to  my  astonishment,  I  need  not  say  to  my  delight,  I 
perceived  that  they  were  Portuguese  troops.  Before  I  had 
well  time  to  halt  my  party,  my  convictions  were  pretty 
well  strengthened  by  hearing  a  well-known  voice  in  the 
rear  of  the  mass  call  out,  — 

"  Charge,  ye  devils  !  charge,  will  ye  ?     Illustrious  Hidal- 


ALVAS. 


415 


gos  !  cut  tliem  down ;  los  infidelos,  sacrificados  los  !  Scatter 
them  like  chaff ! " 

One  roar  of  laughter  was  my  only  answer  to  this  ener- 
getic appeal  for  my  destruction,  and  the  moment  after 
the  dry  features  and  pleasant  face  of  old  Monsoon  beamed 
on  me  by  the  light  of  a  pine-torch  he  carried  in  his  right 
hand. 

"Are  they  prisoners?  Have  they  surrendered  ?  "  inquired 
he.    riding  up.     "  It  is  well  for  them ;  we  'd  have  made 


mince-meat  of  them  otherwise ;  now  they  shall  be  well 
treated,  and  ransomed  if  they  prefer." 

"  Gracios  excellenze  !  "  said  I,  in  a  feigned  voice. 

"Give  up  your  sword,"  said  the  major,  in  an  undertone. 
"You  behaved  gallantly,  but  you  fought  against  invin- 
cibles.  Lord  love  them  !  but  they  are  the  most  terrified 
invincibles." 

I  nearly  burst  aloud  at  this. 


416  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

"  It  was  a  close  thing  which  of  us  ran  first,"  muttered 
ihe  major,  as  he  turned  to  give  some  directions  to  an  aide- 
de-camp.     ^'  Ask  them  who  they  are,"  said  he,  in  Spanish. 

By  tliis  time  I  came  close  alongside  of  him,  and  placing 
my  mouth  close  to  his  ear,  holloed  out,  — 

"  Monsoon,  old  fellow,  how  goes  the  King  of  Spain's 
sherry  ?  " 

"  Eh,  what !  Why,  upon  my  life,  and  so  it  is,  — 
Charley,  my  boy,  so  it 's  you,  is  it  ?  Egad,  how  good ;  and 
we  were  so  near  being  the  death  of  you !  My  poor  fellow, 
how  came  you  here  ?  " 

A  few  words  of  explanation  sufficed  to  inform  the  major 
why  we  were  there,  and  still  more  to  comfort  him  with  the 
assurance  tliat  he  had  not  been  charging  the  general's  staff, 
and  the  commander-in-cliief  himself. 

"  Upon  my  life,  you  gave  me  a  great  start ;  though  as 
long  as  I  thought  you  were  French,  it  was  very  well." 

"  True,  Major,  but  certainly  the  invincibles  were  merci- 
ful as  they  were  strong." 

"  They  were  tired,  Charley,  nothing  more ;  why,  lad, 
we  've  been  fighting  since  daybreak,  —  beat  Victor  at  six 
o'clock,  drove  him  back  behind  the  Tagus ;  took  a  cold 
dinner,  and  had  at  him  again  in  the  afternoon.  Lord  love 
you !  we  've  immortalized  ourselves.  But  you  must  never 
speak  of  this  little  business  here ;  it  tells  devilish  ill  for 
the  discipline  of  your  fellows,  upon  my  life  it  does." 

This  was  rather  an  original  turn  to  give  the  transaction, 
but  I  did  not  oppose;  and  thus  chatting,  we  entered  the 
little  inn,  where,  confidence  once  restored,  some  semblance 
of  comfort  already  appeared. 

"And  so  you  're  come  to  reinforce  us  ?"  said  Monsoon  ; 
"there  was  never  anything  more  opportune, — though  we 
surprised  ourselves  to-day  with  valor,  I  don't  think  we  could 
persevere." 

"  Yes,  Major,  the  appointment  gave  me  sincere  pleasure ; 
I  greatly  desired  to  see  a  little  service  under  your  orders. 
Shall  I  present  you  with  my  despatches  ?  " 

"  Not  now,  Charley,  —  not  now,  my  lad.  Supper  is  the 
first  thing  at  this  moment ;  besides,  now  that  you  remind 
me,  I  must  send  off  a  despatch  myself.     Upon  my  life,  it 's 


ALVAS.  417 

a  great  piece  of  fortune  that  you  're  here  ;  you  shall  be 
secretary  at  war,  and  write  it  for  me.  Here  now  —  how 
lucky  that  I  thought  of  it,  to  be  sure  !  And  it  was  just  a 
mere  chance  ;  one  has  so  many  things  —  "  Muttering  such 
broken,  disjointed  sentences,  the  major  opened  a  large  port- 
folio with  writing  materials,  which  he  displayed  before  me 
as  he  rubbed  his  hands  with  satisfaction,  and  said,  "  Write 
away,  lad." 

"  But,  my  dear  Major,  you  forget ;  I  was  not  in  the  action. 
You  must  describe ;  I  can  only  follow  you." 

*'  Begin  then  thus  :  — 

Headquarters,  Alvas,  June  26. 
Your  Excellency,  —  Having  learned  from  Don  Alphonzo  Xavi- 
ero  da  Minto,  an  officer  upon  my  personal  staff — 

*•  Luckily  sober  at  that  moment  —  " 

That  the  advanced  guard  of  the  eighth  corps  of  the  French 
army  — 

"  Stay,  though,  was  it  the  eighth  ?  Upon  my  life,  I  'm 
not  quite  clear  as  to  that ;  blot  the  word  a  little  and  go 
on  —  " 

That  the  —  corps,  under  Marshal  Yictor,  had  commenced  a  for- 
ward movement  towards  Alcantara,  I  immediately  ordered  a  flank 
movement  of  the  light  infantry  regiment  to  cover  the  bridge  over  the 
Tagus.     After  breakfast  — 

"  I  'm  afraid,  Major,  that  is  not  precise  enough." 
"Well—" 

About  eleven  o'clock,  the  French  skirmishers  attacked,  and  drove 
in  our  pickets  that  were  posted  in  front  of  our  position,  and  follow- 
ing rapidly  up  with  cavalry,  they  took  a  few  prisoners,  and  killed  old 
Alphonzo,  —  he  ran  like  a  man,  they  say,  but  they  caught  him  in 
the  rear. 

"  You  need  n't  put  that  in,  if  you  don't  like." 

I  now  directed  a  charge  of  the  cavalry  brigade,  under  Don 
Asturias  Y'Hajos,  that  cut  them  up  in  fine  style.  Our  artillery, 
posted  on  the  heights,  mowing  away  at  their  columns  like  fun. 

Victor  did  n't  like  this,  and  got  into  a  wood,  when  we  all  went 
to  dinner  ;  it  was  about  two  o'clock  then. 

After  dinner,  the  Portuguese  light  corps,  under  Silva  da  Onorha, 
having  made  an  attack  upon  the  enemy's  left,  without  my  orders, 
VOL.  I.  —  27 


418  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

got  devilish  well  trounced,  and  served  them  right ;  but  coming  up 
to  their  assistance,  with  the  heavy  brigade  of  guns,  and  the  cavalry, 
we  drove  back  the  French,  and  took  several  prisoners,  none  of  whom 
we  put  to  death. 

"  Dash  that  —  Sir  Arthur  likes  respect  for  the  usages  of 
war.     Lord,  how  dry  I  'in  getting  !  " 

Tlie  French  were  soon  seen  to  retire  their  heavy  guns,  and 
speedily  afterwards  retreated.  We  pursued  them  for  some  time,  but 
they  showed  fight  ;  and  as  it  was  getting  dark,  I  drew  off  my  forces, 
and  came  here  to  supper.  Your  Excellency  will  perceive,  by  the 
enclosed  return,  that  our  loss  has  been  considerable. 

I  send  this  despatch  by  Don  Emanuel  Forgales,  whose  services  — 

"I  back  him  for  mutton  hash  with  onions  against  the 
whole  regiment  —  " 

—  have  been  of  the  most  distinguished  nature,  and  beg  to  recom- 
mend him  to  your  Excellency's  favor. 
I  have  the  honor,  etc. 

"Is  it  finished,  Charley  ?  Egad,  I'm  glad  of  it,  for  here 
comes  supper." 

The  door  opened  as  he  spoke,  and  displayed  a  tempting 
tray  of  smoking  viands,  flanked  by  several  bottles,  —  an 
officer  of  the  major's  staff  accompanied  it,  and  showed,  by 
his  attentions  to  the  etiquette  of  the  table  and  the  proper 
arrangement  of  the  meal,  that  his  functions  in  his  superior's 
household  were  more  than  military. 

We  were  speedily  joined  by  two  others  in  rich  uniform, 
whose  names  I  now  forget,  but  to  whom  the  major  presented 
me  in  all  form, — introducino:  me,  as  well  as  I  could  inter- 
pret his  Spanish,  as  his  most  illustrious  ally  and  friend  Don 
Carlos  O'Malley. 


CHAPTER  LIV. 

THE    SUPPER. 

I  HAVE  often  partaken  of  more  luxurious  cookery  and 
rarer  "wiues;  but  never  do  I  remember  enjoying  a  mure 
welcome  supper  than  on  this  occasion. 

Our  Portuguese  guests  left  us  soon,  and  the  major  and 
myself  were  once  more  tete-a-tete  beside  a  cheerful  fire ;  a 
well-chosen  array  of  bottles  guaranteeing  that  for  some  time 
at  least  no  necessity  of  leave-taking  should  arise  from  any 
deficiency  of  wine. 

"  That  sherry  is  very  near  the  thing,  Charley ;  a  little,  a 
very  little  sharp,  but  the  after-taste  perfect.  And  now,  my 
boy,  how  have  you  been  doing  since  we  parted  ?  " 

"Xot  so  badly,  Major.  1  have  already  got  a  step  in  pro- 
motion.    The  affair  at  the  Douro  gave  me  a  lieutenancy." 

"I  wish  you  joy  with  all  my  heart.  I '11  call  you  captain 
always  while  you  're  with  me.  Upon  my  life  I  will.  Why, 
man,  they  style  me  your  Excellency  here.  Bless  your  heart, 
we  are  great  folk  among  the  Portuguese,  and  no  bad  service, 
after  all." 

"  1  should  think  not,  Major.  You  seem  to  have  always 
made  a  good  thing  of  it." 

"  Xo,  Charley  ;  no,  my  boy.  They  overlook  us  greatly  in 
general  orders  and  despatches.  Had  the  brilliant  action  of 
to-day  been  fought  by  the  British  —  But  no  matter,  they 
may  behave  well  in  England,  after  all ;  and  when  I  'm 
called  to  the  Upper  House  as  Baron  Monsoon  of  the  Tagus, 
—  is  that  better  than  Lord  Alcantara  ?  " 

"  I  prefer  the  latter." 

"  Well,  then,  I  '11  have  it.  Lord !  what  a  treaty  I  '11  move 
for  with  Portugal,  to  let  us  have  wine  cheap.  Wine,  you 
know,  as  Pavid  says,  gives  us  a  pleasant  countenance ;  and 
oil,  —  I  forget  what  oil  does.    Pass  over  the  decanter.     And 


420  CHARLES  O'JVIALLEY. 

how  is  Sir  Arthur,  Charley  ?  A  fine  fellow,  but  sadly 
deficient  in  the  knowledge  of  supplies.  Never  would  have 
made  any  character  in  the  coniniissariat.  Bless  your  heart, 
he  pays  for  everything  here  as  if  he  were  in  Cheapside." 

"  How  absurd,  to  be  sure  !  " 

"  Is  n't  it,  though  ?  That  was  not  my  way,  when  I  was 
commissary-general  about  a  year  or  two  ago.  To  be  sure, 
how  I  did  puzzle  them !  They  tried  to  audit  my  accounts, 
and  what  do  you  think  I  did  ?  I  brought  them  in  three 
thousand  pounds  in  my  debt.  They  never  tried  on  that 
game  any  more.  '  No,  no,'  said  the  Junta,  *  Beresford  and 
Monsoon  are  great  men,  and  must  be  treated  with  respect ! ' 
Do  you  think  we  'd  let  them  search  our  pockets  ?  But 
the  rogues  doubled  on  us  after  all;  they  sent  us  to  the 
northward,  —  a  poor  country  —  " 

''So  that,  except  a  little  commonplace  pillage  of  the 
convents  and  nunneries,  you  had  little  or  nothing  ? " 

"Exactly  so;  and  then  I  got  a  great  shock  about  that 
time  that  affected  my  spirits  for  a  considerable  while." 

"  Indeed,  Major,  some  illness  ?  " 

"  No,  I  Avas  quite  well ;  but  —  Lord,  how  thirsty  it  makes 
me  to  think  of  it ;  my  throat  is  absolutely  parched  —  I  was 
near  being  hanged  !  " 

"  Hanged ! " 

"  Yes,  Upon  my  life  it 's  true,  —  very  horrible,  ain't  it  ? 
It  had  a  great  effect  upon  my  nervous  system ;  and  they 
never  thought  of  any  little  jiension  to  me  as  a  recompense 
for  my  sufferings." 

"  And  who  was  barbarous  enough  to  think  of  such  a  thing, 
Major  ?  " 

"  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley  himself,  —  none  other,  Charley  ?  " 

"  Oh,  it  was  a  mistake,  Major,  or  a  joke." 

"  It  was  devilish  near  being  a  practical  one,  though.  I  '11 
tell  you  how  it  occurred.  After  the  battle  of  Vimeira,  the 
brigade  to  which  I  was  attached  had  their  headquarters  at 
San  Pietro,  a  large  convent  where  all  the  church  plate  for 
miles  around  was  stored  up  for  safety.  A  sergeant's 
guard  was  accordingly  stationed  over  the  refectory,  and 
every  precaution  taken  to  prevent  pillage,  Sir  Arthur  him- 
self having  given  particular  orders  on  the  subject.     Well, 


THE   SUPPER.  421 

somehow,  —  I  never  could  find  out  how,  —  but  in  leaving 
the  place,  all  the  wagons  of  our  brigade  had  got  some 
trifling  articles  of  small  value  scattered,  as  it  might  be, 
among  their  stores,  —  gold  cups,  silver  candlesticks.  Virgin 
Marys,  ivory  crucifixes,  saints'  eyes  set  in  topazes,  and 
martyrs'  toes  in  silver  filagree,  and  a  hundred  other  similar 
things. 

"  One  of  these  confounded  bullock-cars  broke  down  just 
at  the  angle  of  the  road  where  the  commander-in-chief  was 
standing  with  his  staff  to  watch  the  troops  defile,  and  out 
rolled,  among  bread  rations  and  salt  beef,  a  whole  avalanche 
of  precious  relics  and  church  ornaments.  Every  one  stood 
aghast !  Never  was  there  such  a  misfortune.  No  one  en- 
deavored to  repair  the  mishaj),  but  all  looked  on  in  terrified 
amazement  as  to  what  was  to  follow. 

"'Who  has  the  command  of  this  detachment?'  shouted 
out  Sir  Arthur,  in  a  voice  that  made  more  than  one  of  us 
tremble. 

"'Monsoon,  your  Excellency,  —  Major  Monsoon,  of  the 
Portuguese  brigade.' 

" '  The  d — d  old  rogue,  I  know  him ! '  Upon  my  life 
that  ^s  what  he  said.  '  Hang  him  up  on  the  spot,'  pointing 
with  his  finger  as  he  spoke ;  '  we  shall  see  if  this  practice 
cannot  be  put  a  stop  to.'  And  with  these  words  he  rode 
leisurely  away,  as  if  he  had  been  merely  ordering  dinner  for 
a  small  party. 

"  When  I  came  up  to  the  place  the  halberts  were  fixed, 
and  Gronow,  with  a  company  of  the  Fusiliers,  under  arms 
beside  them. 

'"Devilish  sorry  for  it.  Major,'  said  he;  'It's  confound- 
edly unpleasant ;  but  can't  be  helped.  We  've  got  orders  to 
see  you  hanged.' 

"Faith,  it  was  just  so  he  said  it,  tapping  his  snuff-box  as 
he  spoke,  and  looking  carelessly  about  him.  Now,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  fixed  halberts  and  the  provost-marshal,  I  'd 
not  have  believed  him ;  but  one  glance  at  them,  and  another 
at  the  bullock-cart  with  all  the  holy  images,  told  me  at  once 
what  had  happened. 

'"He  only  means  to  frighten  me  a  little  ?  Is  n't  that  all, 
Gronow  ?  '  cried  I,  in  a  supplicating  voice. 


422  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

("Yerj  possibly,  Major/  said  lie  ;  '  but  I  must  execute  my 
orders,' 

" '  You  '11  surely  not  — '  Before  I  could  finish,  up  came 
Dan  Mackinnon,  cantering  smartly. 

"  '  Going  to  hang  old  Monsoon,  eh,  Gronow  ?    What  fun  ! ' 

"  '  Ain't  it,  though,'  said  I,  half  blubbering. 

*' '  Well,  if  you  're  a  good  Catholic,  you  may  have  your 
choice  of  a  saint,  for,  by  Jupiter,  there's  a  strong  muster  of 
them  here.'  This  cruel  allusion  was  made  in  reference 
to  the  gold  and  silver  effigies  that  lay  scattered  about  the 
highway. 

-' '  Dan,'  said  I,  in  a  whisper,  *  intercede  for  me.  Do, 
like  a  good,  kind  fellow.  You  have  influence  with  Sir 
Arthur.' 

" '  You  old  siuner,'  said  he,  '  it 's  useless.' 

" '  Dan,  I  '11  forgive  you  the  fifteen  pounds.' 

"  '  That  3'ou  owe  me,'  said  Dan,  laughing. 

" '  Who  '11  ever  be  the  father  to  you  I  have  been  ? 
Who  '11  mix  your  punch  with  burned  Madeira,  when  I  'm 
gone  ?  '  said  I. 

" '  Well,  really,  I  am  sorry  for  you.  Monsoon.  I  say, 
Gronow,  don't  tuck  him  up  for  a  few  minutes  ;  I  '11  speak 
for  the  old  villain,  and  if  I  succeed,  I'll  wave  my  handker- 
chief.' 

"Well,  away  went  Dan  at  a  full  gallop.  Gronow  sat 
down  on  a  bank,  and  I  fidgeted  about  in  no  very  enviable 
frame  of  mind,  the  confounded  provost-marshal  eying  me  all 
the  while. 

"  *  I  can  only  give  you  five  minutes  more.  Major,'  said 
Gronow,  placing  his  watch  beside  him  on  the  grass.  I  tried 
to  pray  a  little,  and  said  three  or  four  of  Solomon's  proverbs, 
when  he  again  called  out :  '  There,  you  see  it  won't  do ! 
Sir  Arthur  is  shaking  his  head.' 

"  '  What 's  that  waving  yonder  ?  ' 

"'The  colors  of  the" 6th  Foot.  Come,  Major,  ofE  with 
your  stock.' 

"  '  Where  is  Dan  now  ;  what  is  he  doing  ? '  —  for  I  could 
see  nothing  myself. 

" '  He 's  riding  beside  Sir  Arthur.  They  all  seem 
lausrhincr.' 


THE  SUPPER.  423 

" '  God  forgive  them  !  what  an  awful  retrospect  this  will 
prove  to  some  of  them.' 

"  '  Time  's  up  !  "  said  Gronow,  jumping  up,  and  replacing 
his  watch  in  his  pocket. 

"  '  Provost-Marshal,  be  quick  now  — ' 

" '  Eh !  what 's  that  ?  —  there,  I  see  it  waving  !  There 's 
a  shout  too  ! ' 

"  '  Ay,  by  Jove !  so  it  is ;  well,  you  're  saved  this  time. 
Major;  that's  the  signal.' 

"  So  saying,  Gronow  formed  his  fellows  in  line  and  re- 
sumed his  march  quite  coolly,  leaving  me  alone  on  the 
roadside  to  meditate  over  martial  law  and  my  pernicious 
taste  for  relics. 

"  Well,  Charley,  this  gave  me  a  great  shock,  and  I  think, 
too,  it  must  have  had  a  great  effect  upon  Sir  Arthur  him- 
self; but,  upon  my  life,  he  has  wonderful  nerves.  I  met 
him  one  day  afterwards  at  dinner  in  Lisbon ;  he  looked  at 
me  very  hard  for  a  few  seconds  :  *  Eh,  Monsoon !  Major 
Monsoon,  I  think?' 

" '  Yes,  your  Excellency,'  said  I,  briefly ;  thinking  how 
painful  it  must  be  for  him  to  meet  me. 

"  '  Thought  I  had  hanged  you,  —  know  I  intended  it,  —  no 
matter.     A  glass  of  wine  with  you  ?  ' 

"  Upon  my  life,  that  was  all ;  how  easily  some  people 
can  forgive  themselves !  But  Charley,  my  hearty,  we  are 
getting  on  slowly  with  the  tipple  ;  are  they  all  empty  ?  So 
thej^  are  !  Let  us  make  a  sortie  on  the  cellar ;  bring  a  candle 
with  you,  and  come  along." 

We  had  scarcely  proceeded  a  few  steps  from  the  door, 
when  a  most  vociferous  sound  of  mirth,  arising  from  a 
neighboring  apartment,  arrested  our  progress. 

"Are  the  dons  so  convivial,  Major  ?"  said  I,  as  a  hearty 
burst  of  laughter  broke  forth  at  the  moment. 

"  Upon  my  life,  they  surprise  me ;  I  begin  to  fear  they 
have  taken  some  of  our  wine." 

We  now  perceived  that  "the  sounds  of  merriment  came 
from  the  kitchen,  which  opened  upon  a  little  courtyard. 
Into  this  we  crept  stealthily,  and  approaching  noiselessly 
to  the  window,  obtained  a  peep  at  the  scene  within. 

Around  a  blazing  fire,  over  which  hung  by  a  chain  a 


424  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

massive  iron  pot,  sat  a  goodly  party  of  some  half-dozen 
people.  One  group  lay  in  dark  shadow  ;  but  the  others  were 
brilliantly  lighted  up  by  the  cheerful  blaze,  and  showed  us 
a  portly  Dominican  friar,  with  a  beard  down  to  his  waist, 
a  buxom,  dark-eyed  girl  of  some  eighteen  years,  and  be- 
tween the  two,  most  comfortably  leaning  back,  with  an 
arm  round  each,  no  less  a  person  than  my  trusty  man 
Mickey  Free. 

It  was  evident,  from  the  alternate  motion  of  his  head, 
that  liis  attentions  were  evenly  divided  between  the  church 
and  the  fair  sex ;  although,  to  confess  the  truth,  they 
seemed  much  more  favorably  received  by  the  latter  than 
the  former,  —  a  brown  earthen  flagon  appearing  to  absorb 
all  the  worthy  monk's  thoughts  that  he  could  spare  from 
the  contemplation  of  heavenly  objects. 

"  Mary,  my  darlin,'  don't  be  looking  at  me  that  way, 
through  the  corner  of  your  eye ;  I  know  you  're  fond  of  me, 
—  but  the  girls  always  was.  You  think  I'm  joking,  but 
troth  I  would  n't  say  a  lie  before  the  holy  man  beside  me ; 
sure  I  would  n't.  Father  ?  " 

The  friar  grunted  out  something  in  reply,  not  very  un- 
like, in  sound  at  least,  a  hearty  anathema. 

"  Ah,  then,  is  n't  it  yourself  has  the  illigant  time  of  it, 
Father  dear!"  said  he,  tapping  him  familiarly  upon  his 
ample  paunch,  "and  nothing  to  trouble  you;  the  best  of 
divarsion  wherever  you  go,  and  whether  it 's  Badahos  or 
Ballykilruddery,  it 's  all  one ;  the  women  is  fond  of  ye. 
Father  Murphy,  the  coadjutor  in  Scariff,  Avas  just  such 
another  as  yourself,  and  he  'd  coax  the  birds  off  the  trees 
with  the  tongue  of  him.  Give  us  a  pull  at  the  pipkin  be- 
fore it 's  all  gone,  and  I  '11  give  you  a  chant." 

With  this  he  seized  the  jar,  and  drained  it  to  the  bottom ; 
the  smack  of  his  lips  as  he  concluded,  and  the  disappointed 
look  of  the  friar  as  he  peered  into  the  vessel,  throwing  the 
others,  once  more,  into  a  loud  burst  of  laughter. 

"  And  now,  3'our  rev'rance,  a  good  chorus  is  all  I  '11  ask, 
and  you  '11  not  refuse  it  for  the  honor  of  the  church." 

So  saying,  he  turned  a  look  of  most  droll  expression  upon 
the  monk,  and  began  the  following  ditty,  to  the  air  of 
"  Saint  Patrick  was  a  Gentleman  "  :  — 


<_  '!'^./'<?'  ^/^a^/e€y?za>  ^-ee-^. 


THE   SUPPER.  425 


What  an  illegant  life  a  friar  leads, 

With  a  fat  round  paunch  before  him  ! 
He  mutters  a  prayer  and  counts  his  beads. 

And  all  the  women  adore  him. 
It's  little  he  's  troubled  to  work  or  think, 

Wherever  devotion  leads  him  ; 
A  "  pater"  pays  for  his  dinner  and  drink, 

For  the  Church  —  good  luck  to  her  !  —  feeds  him. 

From  the  cow  in  the  field  to  the  pig  in  the  sty, 

From  the  maid  to  the  lady  in  satin, 
They  tremble  wherever  he  turns  an  eye. 

He  can  talk  to  the  Devil  in  Latin  ! 
He  's  mighty  severe  to  the  ugly  and  ould. 

And  curses  like  mad  when  he  's  near  'em ; 
But  one  beautiful  trait  of  him  I  've  been  tould, 

The  innocent  craytures  don't  fear  him. 

It 's  little  for  spirits  or  ghosts  he  cares ; 

For  't  is  true  as  the  world  supposes, 
With  an  Ave  he  'd  make  them  march  down-stairS, 

Av  they  dared  to  show  their  noses. 
The  Devil  himself 's  afraid,  'tis  said, 

And  dares  not  to  deride  him  ; 
For  "  angels  make  each  night  his  bed. 

And  then  —  lie  down  beside  him." 

A  perfect  burst  of  laughter  from  Monsoon  prevented  my 
hearing  how  Mike's  minstrelsy  succeeded  within  doors  ;  but 
W'hen  I  looked  again,  I  found  that  the  friar  had  decamped, 
leaving  the  field  open  to  his  rival,  — a  circumstance,  I  could 
plainly  perceive,  not  disliked  by  either  party. 

"Come  back,  Charley,  that  villain  of  yours  has  given 
me  the  cramp,  standing  here  on  the  cold  pavement.  We  '11 
have  a  little  w^arm  posset,  —  very  small  and  thin,  as  they 
say  in  Tom  Jones,  — and  then  to  bed." 

Notwithstanding  the  abstemious  intentions  of  the  major, 
it  was  daybreak  ere  we  separated,  and  neither  party  in  a 
condition  for  performing  upon  the  tight-rope. 


CHAPTER  LV. 

THE    LEGION. 

My  services  wliile  with  the  Legion  were  of  no  very 
distinguished  character,  and  require  no  lengthened  chron- 
icle. Their  great  feat  of  arms,  the  repulse  of  an  advanced 
guard  of  Victor's  corps,  had  taken  place  the  very  morning 
I  had  joined  them,  and  the  ensuing  month  was  passed  in 
soft  repose  upon  their  laurels. 

For  the  first  few  days,  indeed,  a  multiplicity  of  cares 
beset  the  worthy  major.  There  was  a  despatch  to  be 
written  to  Beresford,  another  to  the  Supreme  Junta,  a 
letter  to  Wilson,  at  that  time  with  the  corps  of  observation 
to  the  eastward.  There  were  some  wounded  to  be  looked 
after,  a  speech  to  be  made  to  the  conquering  heroes  them- 
selves, and  lastly,  a  few  prisoners  were  taken,  whose  fate 
seemed  certainly  to  partake  of  the  most  uncertain  of  war's 
proverbial  chances. 

The  despatches  gave  little  trouble ;  with  some  very  slight 
alterations,  the  great  original,  already  sent  forward  to  Sir 
Arthur,  served  as  a  basis  for  the  rest.  The  wounded  were 
forwarded  to  Alcantara,  with  a  medical  staff ;  to  whom 
Monsoon,  at  parting,  pleasantly  hinted  that  he  expected  to 
see  all  the  sick  at  their  duty  by  an  early  day,  or  he  would 
be  compelled  to  report  the  doctors.  The  speech,  which  was 
intended  as  a  kind  of  general  order,  he  deferred  for  some 
favorable  afternoon  when  he  could  get  iip  his  Portuguese ; 
and  lastly,  came  the  prisoners,  by  far  the  most  diflRcult  of 
all  his  cares.  As  for  the  few  common  soldiers  taken,  they 
gave  him  little  uneasiness,  —  as  Sir  John  has  it,  they  were 
"  mortal  men,  and  food  for  powder ;  "  but  there  was  a  staff- 
officer  among  them,  aiguilletted  and  epauletted.  The  very 
decorations  he  wore  were  no  common  temptation.  Now,  the 
major  deliberated  a  long  time  with  himself,  whether  the 
usages  of  modern  war  might  not  admit  of  the  ancient,  time- 


THE  LEGION.  427 

honored  practice  of  ransom.  The  battle,  save  in  glory,  had 
been  singularly  unproductive :  plunder  there  was  none ; 
the  few  ammunition-wagons  and  gun-carriages  were  worth 
little  or  nothing;  so  that,  save  the  prisoners,  nothing  re- 
mained. It  was  late  in  the  evening  —  the  mellow  hour  of 
the  major's  meditations  —  when  he  ventured  to  open  his 
heart  to  me  upon  the  matter. 

"I  was  just  thinking,  Charley,  how  very  superior  they 
were  in  olden  times  to  us  moderns,  in  many  matters,  and 
nothing  more  than  in  their  treatment  of  prisoners.  They 
never  took  them  away  from  their  friends  and  country; 
they  always  ransomed  them,  —  if  they  had  wherewithal  to 
pay  their  way.  So  good-natured !  —  upon  my  life  it  was  a 
most  excellent  custom !  They  took  any  little  valuables  they 
found  about  them,  and  then  put  them  up  at  auction.  Moses 
and  Eleazar,  a  priest,  we  are  told,  took  every  piece  of  gold, 
and  their  wrought  jewels,  — meaning  their  watches,  and  ear- 
rings. You  need  n't  laugh,  they  all  wore  ear-rings,  those 
fellows  did.  Xow,  why  shouldn't  I  profit  by  their  good 
example  ?  I  have  taken  Agag,  the  King  of  the  Amalekites, 
—  no,  but  upon  ray  life,  I  have  got  a  French  major,  and  I'd 
let  him  go  for  fifty  doubloons." 

It  was  not  without  much  laughing,  and  some  eloquence, 
that  I  could  persuade  Monsoon  that  Sir  Arthur's  military 
notions  might  not  accept  of  even  the  authority  of  Moses; 
and  as  our  headquarters  were  at  no  great  distance,  the 
danger  of  such  a  step  as  he  meditated  was  too  considerable 
at  such  a  moment. 

As  for  ourselves,  no  fatiguing  drills,  no  harassing  field- 
days,  and  no  provoking  inspections  interfered  with  the  easy 
current  of  our  lives.  Foraging  parties  there  were,  it  was 
true,  and  some  occasional  outpost  duty  was  performed.  But 
the  ofiicers  for  both  were  selected  with  a  tact  that  proved 
the  major's  appreciation  of  character;  for  while  the  gay, 
joyous  fellow  that  sung  a  jovial  song  and  loved  his  liquor 
was  certain  of  being  entertained  at  headquarters,  the  less- 
gifted  and  less-congenial  spirit  had  the  happiness  of  scour- 
ing the  country  for  forage,  and  presenting  himself  as  a 
target  to  a  French  rifle. 

]My  own  endeavors  to  fulfil  my  instructions  met  with  but 


428  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

little  encouragement  or  support;  and  although  I  labored 
hard  at  my  task,  I  must  confess  that  the  soil  was  a  most 
ungrateful  one.  The  cavalry  were,  it  is  true,  composed 
mostly  of  young  fellows  well-appointed,  and  in  most  cases 
well-mounted ;  but  a  more  disorderly,  careless,  undisciplined 
set  of  good-humored  fellows  never  formed  a  corps  in  the 
world. 

Monsoon's  opinions  were  felt  in  every  branch  of  the 
service,  from  the  adjutant  to  the  drumboy,  — the  same  reck- 
less, indolent,  plunder-loving  spirit  prevailed  everywhere. 
And  although  under  fire  they  showed  no  lack  of  gallantry 
or  courage,  the  moment  of  danger  passed,  discipline  departed 
with  it,  and  their  only  conception  of  benefiting  by  a  victory 
consisted  in  the  amount  of  pillage  that  resulted  from  it. 

From  time  to  time  the  rumors  of  great  events  reached  us. 
We  heard  that  Soult,  having  succeeded  in  re-organizing  his 
beaten  army,  was,  in  conjunction  with  Key's  corps,  return- 
ing from  the  north ;  that  the  marshals  were  consolidating 
their  forces  in  the  neighborhood  of  Talavera ;  and  that  King 
Joseph  himself,  at  the  head  of  a  large  army,  had  marched 
for  Madrid. 

Menacing  as  such  an  aspect  of  affairs  was,  it  had  little 
disturbed  the  major's  equanimity  ;  and  when  our  advanced 
posts  reported  daily  the  intelligence  that  the  French  were 
in  retreat,  he  cared  little  with  what  object  of  concentrating 
they  retired,  provided  the  interval  between  us  grew  gradu- 
ally wider.  His  speculations  upon  the  future  were  singu- 
larly prophetic.  "  You  '11  see,  Charley,  what  will  happen  ; 
old  Cuesta  will  pursue  them,  and  get  thrashed.  The 
English  will  come  up,  and  perhaps  get  thrashed  too ;  but 
we,  God  bless  us  !  are  only  a  small  force,  partially  organ- 
ized and  ill  to  depend  on,  —  we  '11  go  up  the  mountains  till 
all  IS  over  !  "  Thus  did  the  major's  discretion  not  only  extend 
to  the  avoidance  of  danger,  but  he  actually  disqualified  him- 
self from  even  making  its  acquaintance. 

Meanwhile  our  operations  consisted  in  making  easy 
marches  to  Almarez,  halting  wherever  the  commissariat 
reported  a  well-stocked  cellar  or  well-furnished  hen-roost, 
taking  the  primrose  path  in  life,  and  being,  in  words  of  the 
major,  "  contented  and  grateful,  even  amidst  great  perils  ! " 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

THE    DEPARTURE. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th  July  a  despatch  reached  us 
announcing  that  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley  had  taken  up  his 
lieadquartei'S  at  Placentia  for  the  pvirj^ose  of  communicat- 
ing with  Cuesta,  then  at  Casa  del  Puerto  ;  and  ordering  me 
immediately  to  repair  to  the  Spanish  headquarters  and  await 
Sir  Arthur's  arrival,  to  make  my  report  upon  the  effective 
state  of  our  corps.  As  for  me,  I  was  heartily  tired  of  the 
inaction  of  my  present  life,  and  much  as  I  relished  the 
eccentricities  of  my  friend  the  major,  longed  ardently  for  a 
different  sphere  of  action. 

Not  so  Monsoon ;  the  prospect  of  active  employment  and 
the  thoughts  of  being  left  once  more  alone,  for  his  Portuguese 
staff  afforded  him  little  society,  depressed  him  greatly ;  and 
as  the  hour  of  my  departure  drew  near,  he  ajipeared  lower 
in  spirits  than  I  had  ever  seen  him. 

"■  I  shall  be  very  lonely  without  you,  Charley,"  said  he, 
with  a  sigh,  as  we  sat  the  last  evening  together  beside  our 
cheerful  wood  fire.  "  I  have  little  intercourse  with  the 
dons  ;  for  my  Portuguese  is  none  of  the  best,  and  only 
conies  when  the  evening  is  far  advanced  ;  and  besides,  the 
villains,  I  fear,  may  remember  the  sherry  affair.  Two  of 
my  present  staff  were  with  me  then." 

"  Is  that  the  story  Power  so  often  alluded  to,  Major ;  the 
King  of  Spain's  —  " 

"  There,  Charley,  hush  ;  be  cautious,  my  boy.  I  'd  rather 
not  speak  about  that  till  we  get  among  our  own  fellows." 

"Just  as  you  like,  Major;  but,  do  you  know,  I  have  a 
strong  curiosity  to  hear  the  narrative." 

"  If  1  'm  not  mistaken,  there  is  some  one  listening  at  the 
door,  —  gently  ;  that 's  it,  eh  ?  " 

"  Xo,  we  are   perfectly  alone ;   the  night 's  early ;   who 


430  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

knows  when  we  shall  have  as  quiet  an  hour  again  to- 
gether ?     Let  me  hear  it,  by  all  means." 

"  Well,  I  don't  care ;  the  thing,  Heaven  knows  !  is  toler- 
ably well  known  ;  so  if  you  '11  amuse  yourself  making  a 
devil  of  the  turkey's  legs  there,  I  '11  tell  you  the  story. 
It 's  very  short,  Charley,  and  there  's  no  moral ;  so  you  're 
not  likely  to  repeat  it." 

So  saying,  the  major  filled  up  his  glass,  drew  a  little 
closer  to  the  fire,  and  began :  — 

"  When  the  French  troops,  under  Laborde,  were  marching, 
upon  Alcobaca,  in  concert  Avith  Loison's  corps,  I  was  ordered 
to  convey  a  very  valuable  present  of  sherry  the  Due  d' Albu- 
querque was  making  to  the  Supreme  Junta,  —  no  less  than 
ten  hogsheads  of  the  best  sherry  the  royal  cellars  of  Madrid 
had  formerly  contained. 

"  It  was  stored  in  the  San  Vincente  convent ;  and  the 
Junta,  knowing  a  little  about  monkish  tastes  and  the  wants 
of  the  Church,  prudently  thought  it  would  be  quite  as  well 
at  Lisbon.  I  was  accordingly  ordered,  with  a  sufficient 
force,  to  provide  for  its  safe  conduct  and  secure  arrival,  and 
set  out  upon  my  march  one  lovely  morning  in  April  Avith  my 
precious  convoy. 

"I  don't  know,  I  never  could  understand,  why  tempta- 
tions are  thrown  in  our  way  in  this  life,  except  for  the 
pleasure  of  yielding  to  them.  As  for  me,  I  'm  a  stoic  when 
there 's  nothing  to  be  had ;  but  let  me  get  a  scent  of  a  well- 
kept  haunch,  the  odor  of  a  wine-bin  once  m  my  nose,  I 
forget  everything  except  appropriation.  That  bone  smells 
deliciously,  Charley ;  a  little  garlic  woiild  improve  it  vastly. 

"  Our  road  lay  through  cross-paths  and  mountain  tracts, 
for  the  French  were  scouring  the  country  on  every  side,  and 
my  fellows,  only  twenty  altogether,  trembled  at  the  very 
name  of  them ;  so  that  our  only  chance  was  to  avoid  fall- 
ing in  with  any  forage  parties.  We  journeyed  along  for 
several  days,  rarely  making  more  than  a  few  leagues  be- 
tween sunrise  and  sunset,  a  scout  always  in  advance  to 
assure  us  that  all  was  safe.  The  road  was  a  lonesome  one 
and  the  way  weary,  for  I  had  no  one  to  speak  to  or  converse 
with,  so  I  fell  into  a  kind  of  musing  fit  about  the  old  wine 
in  the  great  brown  casks.     I  thought  on  its  luscious  flavor. 


THE  DEPARTURE.  431 

its  rich  straw  tint,  its  oily  look  as  it  flowed  into  the  glass, 
the  mellow  after-taste  warming  the  heart  as  it  went  down, 
and  I  absolutely  thought  I  could  smell  it  through  the  wood. 

"  How  I  longed  to  broach  one  of  them,  if  it  were  only  to 
see  if  my  dreams  about  it  were  correct.  '  May  be  it 's  brown 
sherry,'  thought  I,  '  and  I  am  all  wrong.'  This  was  a  very 
distressing  reflection.  I  mentioned  it  to  the  Portuguese 
intendant,  who  travelled  with  us  as  a  kind  of  supercai-go  ; 
but  the  villain  only  grinned  and  said  something  about  the 
Junta  and  the  galleys  for  life,  so  I  did  not  recur  to  it  after- 
wards. Well,  it  was  upon  the  third  evening  of  our  march 
that  the  scout  reported  that  afc  Merida,  about  a  league  dis- 
tant, he  had  fallen  in  with  an  English  cavalry  regiment, 
who  Avere  on  their  march  to  the  northern  provinces,  and 
remaining  that  night  in  the  village.  As  soon,  therefore,  as 
I  had  made  all  my  arrangements  for  the  night,  I  took  a 
fresh  horse  and  cantered  over  to  have  a  look  at  my  country- 
men, and  hear  the  news.  "When  I  arrived,  it  was  a  dark 
night,  but  I  was  not  long  in  finding  out  our  fellows.  They 
were  the  11th  Light  Dragoons,  commanded  by  my  old  friend 
Bowes,  and  Avith  as  jolly  a  mess  as  any  in  the  service. 

"  Before  half  an  hour's  time  I  was  in  the  midst  of  them, 
hearing  all  about  the  campaign,  and  telling  them  in  return 
about  my  convoy,  dilating  \ipon  the  qualities  of  the  wine  as 
if  I  had  been  drinking  it  every  day  at  dinner. 

"We  had  a  very  mellow  night  of  it;  and  before  four 
o'clock  the  senior  major  and  four  captains  were  under  the 
table,  and  all  the  subs,  in  a  state  unprovided  for  by  the 
articles  of  war.  So  I  thought  I  'd  be  going,  and  wishing 
the  sober  ones  a  good-by,  set  out  on  my  road  to  join  my 
own  party. 

"I  had  not  gone  above  a  hundred  yards  when  I  heard 
some  one  running  after,  and  calling  out  my  name. 

"  *I  say,  Monsoon  ;  Major,  confound  you,  pull  up.' 

"  '  Well,  Avhat  's  the  matter  ?  Has  any  more  lush  turned 
up  ? '  inquired  I,  for  we  had  drank  the  tap  dry  when  I  left. 

"  '  Kot  a  drop,  old  fellow  ! '  said  he  ;  '  but  I  was  thinking 
of  what  you  've  been  saying  about  that  sherry.' 

"  '  Well !     What  then  ? ' 

" '  Why,  I  want  to  know  how  we  could  get  a  taste  of  it  ? ' 


432  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  '  You  'd  better  get  elected  one  of  the  Cortes,'  said  I, 
laughing ;  '  for  it  does  n't  seem  likely  you  '11  do  so  in  any 
other  way.' 

"  *  I  'm  not  so  sure  of  that/  said  he,  smiling.  *  What  road 
do  you  travel  to-morrow  ? ' 

*'  'By  Cavalhos  and  Reina.' 

"  *  Whereabouts  may  you  happen  to  be  towards  sunset  ? ' 

"  '  I  fear  we  shall  be  m  the  mountains,'  said  I,  with  a 
knowing  look,  'where  ambuscades  and  surprise  parties  would 
be  highly  dangerous.' 

"  '  And  your  party  consists  of  — ' 

"  '  About  twenty  Portuguese,  all  ready  to  run  at  the  first 
shot.' 

"  '  I  '11  do  it.  Monsoon  ;  I  '11  be  hanged  if  I  don't.' 

"  '  But,  Tom,'  said  I, '  don't  make  any  l^lunder ;  only  blank 
cartridge,  my  boy,' 

"  *  Honor  bright ! '  cried  he.  *  Your  fellows  are  armed  of 
course  ? ' 

"  *  Never  think  of  that ;  t\\Qj  may  shoot  each  other  in  the 
confusion.  But  if  you  only  make  plenty  of  noise  coming  on, 
they  '11  never  wait  for  you.' 

'' '  What  capital  fellows  they  must  be  ! ' 

"  '  Crack  troops,  Tom ;  so  don't  hurt  them.  And  now, 
good-night.' 

"As  I  cantered  off,  I  began  to  think  over  O'Flaherty's 
idea ;  and  upon  my  life,  I  did  n't  half  like  it.  He  was  a 
recikless,  devil-may-care  fellow ;  and  it  Avas  just  as  likely  he 
would  really  put  his  scheme  into  practice. 

"  When  morning  broke,  however,  we  got  under  way  again, 
and  I  amused  myself  all  the  forenoon  in  detailing  stories  of 
French  cruelty  ;  so  that  before  we  had  marched  ten  miles, 
there  was  not  a  man  among  us  not  ready  to  run  at  the 
slightest  sound  of  attack  on  any  side.  As  evening  was  fall- 
ing we  reached  Morento,  a  little  mountain  pass  which  fol- 
lows the  course  of  a  small  river,  and  where,  in  many  places, 
the  mule  carts  had  barely  space  enough  to  pass  between  the 
cliffs  and  the  stream.  '  "What  a  place  for  Tom  OTlaherty 
and  his  foragers  ! '  thought  1,  as  we  entered  the  little  moun- 
tain gorge  ;  but  all  was  silent  as  the  grave,  — except  the  tramp 
of  our  party,  not  a  sound  was  heard.     There  was  something 


THE  DEPARTURE.  433 

solemn  and  still  in  the  great  brown  mountain,  rising  like 
vast  walls  on  eitlier  side,  with  a  narrow  streak  of  gray  sky 
at  top  and  in  the  dark,  sluggisli  stream,  that  seemed  to  awe 
us,  and  no  one  spoke.  The  muleteer  ceased  his  merry  song, 
and  did  not  crack  or  flourish  his  long  whip  as  before,  but 
chid  his  beasts  in  a  half-muttered  voice,  and  urged  them 
faster,  to  reach  the  village  before  nightfall. 

"Egad,  somehow  I  felt  uncommonly  uncomfortable;  I 
could  not  divest  my  mind  of  the  impression  that  some 
disaster  was  impending,  and  I  wished  O'Flaherty  and  his 
project  in  a  very  warm  climate.  '  He  '11  attack  us,'  thought 
I,  'where  we  can't  run;  fair  play  forever.  But  if  they  are 
not  able  to  get  away,  even  the  militia  will  fight.'  However, 
the  evening  crept  on,  and  no  sign  of  his  coming  appeared  on 
any  side ;  and  to  my  sincere  satisfaction,  I  could  see,  about 
half  a  league  distant,  the  twinkling  light  of  the  little  village 
where  we  were  to  halt  for  the  night.  It  was  just  at  this 
time  that  a  scout  I  had  sent  out  some  few  hundred  yards  in 
advance  came  galloping  up,  almost  breathless. 

"  '  The  French,  Captain ;  the  French  are  upon  us  ! '  said 
he,  with  a  face  like  a  ghost. 

"  '  Whew  !  Which  way  ?  How  many  ? '  said  I,  not  at 
all  sure  that  he  might  not  be  telling  the  truth. 

"'Coming  in  force!'  said  the  fellow.  'Dragoons!  By 
this  road ! ' 

"  '  Dragoons  ?  By  this  road  ? '  repeated  every  man  of 
the  party,  looking  at  each  other  like  men  sentenced  to  be 
hanged. 

"Scarcely  had  they  spoken  when  we  heard  the  distant 
noise  of  cavalry  advancing  at  a  brisk  trot.  Lord,  what  a 
scene  ensued!  The  soldiers  ran  hither  and  thither  like 
frightened  sheep  ;  some  pulled  out  crucifixes  and  began  to 
say  their  prayers  ;  others  fired  off  their  muskets  in  a  panic  ; 
the  mule-drivers  cut  their  traces,  and  endeavored  to  get 
away  by  riding ;  and  the  intendant  took  to  his  heels, 
screaming  out  to  us,  as  he  went,  to  fight  manfully  to  the 
last,  and  that  he  'd  report  us  favorably  to  the  Junta. 

"  Just  at  this  moment  the  dragoons  came  in  sight ;  they 
came  galloping  up,  shouting  like  madmen.     One  look  was 
enough  for  my  fellows ;  they  sprang  to  their  legs  from  their 
VOL.  I.  — 28 


434  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

devotions,  fired  a  volley  straight  at  the  new  moon,  and  ran 
like  men. 

"  I  was  knocked  down  in  the  rush.  As  I  regained  ray 
legs,  Tom  O'Flaherty  was  standing  beside  me,  laughing  like 
mad. 

" '  Eh,  Monsoon !  I  've  kept  my  word,  old  fellow !  What 
legs  they  have !  We  shall  make  no  prisoners,  that's  cer- 
tain. Now,  lads,  here  it  is !  Put  the  horses  to,  here.  We 
shall  take  but  one.  Monsoon ;  so  that  your  gallant  defence 
of  the  rest  will  please  the  Junta.  Good-night,  good-night ! 
I  will  drink  your  health  every  night  these  two  months.' 

"  So  saying,  Tom  sprang  to  his  saddle ;  and  in  less  time 
than  I  've  been  telling  it,  the  whole  was  over  and  I  sitting 
by  myself  in  the  gray  moonlight,  meditating  on  all  I  saw, 
and  now  and  then  shouting  for  my  Portuguese  friends  to 
come  back  again.  They  came  in  time,  by  twos  and  threes ; 
and  at  last  the  whole  party  re-assembled,  and  we  set  forth 
again,  every  man,  from  the  intendant  to  the  drummer,  laud- 
ing my  valor,  and  saying  that  Don  Monsoon  was  a  match  for 
the  Cid." 

"  And  how  did  the  Junta  behave  ?  " 

"  Like  trumps,  Charley.  Made  me  a  Knight  of  Battalha, 
and  kissed  me  on  both  cheeks,  having  sent  twelve  dozen  of 
the  rescued  wine  to  my  quarters,  as  a  small  testimony  of 
their  esteem.  I  have  laughed  very  often  at  it  since.  But 
hush,  Charley  ?     What 's  that  I  hear  without  there  ?  " 

"  Oh,  it 's  my  fellow  Mike.  He  asked  my  leave  to  enter- 
tain his  friends  before  parting,  and  I  perceive  he  is  delight- 
ing them  with  a  song." 

''But  what  a  confounded  air  it  is!  Are  the  words 
Hebrew  ?  " 

"  Irish,  Major ;  most  classical  Irish,  too,  I  '11  be  bound !  " 

"  Irish !  I  've  heard  most  tongues,  but  that  certainly 
surprises  me.  Call  him  in,  Charley,  and  let  us  have  the 
canticle." 

In  a  few  minutes  more,  Mr.  Free  appeared  in  a  state  of 
very  satisfactory  elevation,  his  eyebrows  alternately  rising 
and  falling,  his  mouth  a  little  drawn  to  one  side,  and  a  side 
motion  in  his  knee-joints  that  might  puzzle  a  physiologist 
to  account  for. 


THE   DEPARTURE.  435 

"A  sweet  little  song  of  yours,  Mike,"  said  the  major  ;  *'a 
very  sweet  thing  indeed.     Wet  your  lips,  Mickey." 

"  Long  life  to  your  honor  and  Master  Charles  there,  too, 
and  them  that  belongs  to  both  of  yez.  May  a  gooseberry 
skin  make  a  nightcap  for  the  man  would  harm  either  of  ye." 

"  Thank  you,  Mike.     And  now  about  that  song." 

"  It 's  the  ouldest  tune  ever  was  sung,"  said  IMike,  with 
a  hiccough,  "  barring  Adam  had  a  taste  for  music ;  but  the 
words  —  the  poethry  —  is  not  so  ould." 

"  And  how  comes  that  ?  " 

''  The  poethry,  ye  see,  was  put  to  it  by  one  of  my  ances- 
thors,  —  he  was  a  great  inventhor  in  times  past,  and  made 
beautiful  songs,  —  and  ye  'd  never  guess  what  it  's  all 
about." 

"  Love,  mayhap  ?  "  quoth  Monsoon. 

"  Sorra  taste  of  kissing  from  beginning  to  end." 

"  A  drinking  song  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Whiskey  is  never  mentioned." 

"  Fighting  is  the  only  other  national  pastime.  It  must  be 
in  praise  of  sudden  death  ?  " 

"  You  're  out  again ;  but  sure  you  'd  never  guess  it,"  said 
Mike.  "  Well,  ye  see,  here  's  what  it  is.  It 's  the  praise 
and  glory  of  ould  Ireland  in  the  great  days  that 's  gone, 
when  we  were  all  Phenayceans  and  Armenians,  and  when 
we  worked  all  manner  of  beautiful  contrivances  in  goold 
and  silver,  —  bracelets  and  collars  and  teapots,  illegant  to 
look  at,  —  and  read  Roosian  and  Latin,  and  played  the  harp 
and  the  barrel-organ,  and  eat  and  drank  of  the  best,  for 
nothing  but  asking." 

"  Blessed  times,  upon  my  life  ! "  quoth  the  major ;  "  I  wish 
we  had  them  back  again." 

"  There  's  more  of  your  mind,"  said  Mike,  steadying  him- 
self. "  My  ancesthors  was  great  people  in  them  days ;  and 
sure  it  is  n't  in  my  present  situation  I  'd  be  av  we  had  tliem 
back  again,  —  sorra  bit,  faith  !  It  is  n't,  '  Come  here,  Mickey, 
bad  luck  to  you,  ]\Iike  ! '  or,  '  That  blackguard,  Mickey  Free ! ' 
people  'd  be  calling  me.  But  no  matter ;  here 's  your  health 
again.  Major  Monsoon  —  " 

"  Xever  mind  vain  regrets,  Mike.  Let  us  hear  your  song ; 
the  major  has  taken  a  great  fancy  to  it." 


436  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

''  Ah,  then,  it 's  joking  you  are.  Mister  Charles,"  said  Mike, 
affecting  an  air  of  most  bashful  coyness. 

"  By  no  means ;  we  want  to  hear  you  sing  it." 

"  To  be  sure  we  do.  Sing  it  by  all  means ;  never  be 
ashamed.  King  David  was  very  fond  of  singing,  —  upon 
my  life  he  was." 

"  But  you  'd  never  understand  a  word  of  it,  sir." 

"No  matter;  we  know  what  it's  about.  That's  the  way 
with  the  Legion ;  they  don't  know  much  English,  but  they 
generally  guess  what  I  'm  at." 

This  argument  seemed  to  satisfy  all  Mike's  remaining 
scruples ;  so  placing  himself  in  an  attitude  of  considerable 
pretension  as  to  grace,  he  began,  with  a  voice  of  no  very 
measured  compass,  an  air  of  which  neither  by  name  nor 
otherwise  can  I  give  any  conception ;  my  principal  amuse- 
ment being  derived  from  a  tol-de-rol  chorus  of  the  major, 
which  concluded  each  verse,  and  indeed  in  a  lower  key  ac- 
companied the  singer  throughout. 

Since  that  I  have  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  free-and-easy 
translation  of  the  lyric ;  but  in  my  anxiety  to  preserve  the 
metre  and  something  of  the  spirit  of  the  original,  I  have 
made  several  blunders  and  many  anachronisms.  Mr.  Free, 
however,  pronounces  my  version  a  good  one,  and  the  world 
must  take  his  word  till  some  more  worthy  translator  shall 
have  consigned  it  to  immortal  verse. 

With  this  apology,  therefore,  I  present  Mr.  Free's  song : 

Air,  —  Na  Guilloch  y'  Goulen. 

Oh,  once  we  were  illigint  people, 

Though  we  now  Hve  in  cabins  of  miul ; 
And  the  land  that  ye  see  from  the  steeple 

Belonged  to  us  all  from  the  Flood. 
My  fother  was  then  King  of  Connaught, 

My  grand-aunt  Viceroy  of  Tralee  ; 
But  the  Sassenach  came,  and  signs  on  it, 

The  devil  an  acre  have  we. 

The  least  of  us  then  were  all  earls, 

And  jewels  we  wore  without  name  ; 
We  drank  punch  out  of  ruhies  and  pearls,  — 

Mr.  Petrie  can  tell  vou  the  same. 


THE  DEPARTURE. 


437 


But  except  some  turf  mould  and  potatoes, 
There  's  nothing  our  own  we  can  call  ; 

And  the  English,  —  bad  luck  to  them  !  —  hate  us, 
Because  we  've  more  fun  than  them  all! 

My  grand-aunt  was  niece  to  Saint  Kevin, 

That 's  the  reason  my  name  's  Mickey  Free  ! 
Priest's  nieces,  —  but  sure  he 's  in  heaven, 

And  his  failins  is  nothin'  to  me. 
And  we  still  might  get  on  without  doctors, 

If  they  'd  let  the  ould  Island  alone  ; 
And  if  purple-men,  priests,  and  tithe-i)roctors 

Were  crammed  down  the  creat  tjun  of  Athlone. 


As  Mike's  melody  proceeded,  the  major's  thorough  bass 
waxed  beautifully  less,  —  now  and  then,  it 's  true,  roused 
by  some  momentary  strain,  it  swelled  upwards  in  full  chorus, 
but  gradually  these  passing  flights  grew  rarer,  and  finally 
all  ceased,  save  a  long,  low,  droning  sound,  like  the  expiring 


438  CIIAELES  O'MALLEY. 

sigh  of  a  wearied  bagpipe.  His  fingers  still  continued  me- 
chanically to  beat  time  upon  the  table,  and  still  his  head 
nodded  sympathetically  to  the  music  ;  his  eyelids  closed  in 
sleep ;  and  as  the  last  verse  concluded,  a  full-drawn  snore 
announced  that  Monsoon,  if  not  in  the  land  of  dreams,  was 
at  least  in  a  happy  oblivion  of  all  terrestrial  concerns,  and 
caring  as  little  for  the  woes  of  green  Erin  and  the  altered 
fortunes  of  the  Free  family  as  any  Saxon  that  ever  opjjressed 
them. 

There  he  sat,  the  finished  decanter  and  empty  goblet  tes- 
tifying that  his  labors  had  only  ceased  from  the  pressure 
of  necessity ;  but  the  broken,  half-uttered  words  that  fell 
from  his  lips  evinced  that  he  reposed  on  the  last  bottle  of 
the  series. 

"  Oh,  thin,  he 's  a  fine  ould  gentleman  !  "  said  Mike,  after 
a  pause  of  some  minutes,  during  which  he  had  been  contem- 
plating the  major  with  all  the  critical  acumen  Chantrey  or 
Canova  would  have  bestowed  upon  an  antique  statue,  —  "a 
fine  ould  gentleman,  every  inch  of  him ;  and  it 's  the  master 
would  like  to  have  him  up  at  the  Castle." 

'*  Quite  true,  Mike  ;  but  let  us  not  forget  the  road.  Look 
to  the  cattle,  and  be  ready  to  start  within  an  hour." 

When  he  left  the  room  for  this  purpose  I  endeavoi'ed 
to  shake  the  major  into  momentary  consciousness  ere  we 
parted. 

"Major,  Major,"  said  I,  "time  is  up.     I  must  start." 

"  Yes,  it 's  all  true,  your  Excellency :  they  pillaged  a 
little ;  and  if  they  did  change  their  facings,  there  was  a 
great  temptation.  All  the  red  velvet  they  found  in  the 
churches  —  " 

"  Good-by,  old  fellow,  good-by  ! " 

"  Stand  at  ease  !  " 

"  Can't,  unfortunately,  yet  awhile  ;  so  farewell.  I  '11  make 
a  capital  report  of  the  Legion  to  Sir  Arthur ;  shall  I  add 
anything  particularly  from  yourself  ?  " 

This,  and  the  shake  that  accompanied  it,  aroused  him. 
He  started  up,  and  looked  about  him  for  a  few  seconds. 

"  Eh,  Charley  !  You  did  n't  say  Sir  Arthur  was  here,  did 
you  ?  " 

"No,  Major;  don't  be  frightened;  he's  many  a  league 


THE  DEPARTURE.  439 

off.  I  asked  if  you  had  anything  to  say  when  I  met 
him  ?  " 

"  Oh,  yes,  Charley  !  Tell  him  we  're  capital  troops  in  our 
own  little  way  in  the  mountains ;  would  never  do  in  pitched 
battles,  —  skirmishing 's  our  forte  ;  and  for  cutting  off  strag- 
glers, or  sacking  a  town,  back  them  at  any  odds." 

"  Yes,  yes,  I  know  all  that ;  you  've  nothing  more  ?  " 

"  jSTothing,"  said  he,  once  more  closing  his  eyes  and  cross- 
ing his  hands  before  him,  while  his  lips  continued  to  mutter 
on,  —  "  nothing  more,  except  you  may  say  from  me,  —  he 
knows  me,  Sir  Arthur  does.  Tell  him  to  guard  himself 
from  intemperance  ;  a  fine  fellow  if  he  would  n't  drink." 

"  You  horrid  old  humbug,  what  nonsense  are  you  mutter- 
ing there  ? " 

"  Yes,  yes ;  Solomon  says,  '  Who  hath  red  eyes  and  car- 
buncles ? '  they  that  mix  their  lush.  Pure  Sneyd  never 
injured  any  one.  Tell  him  so  from  me,  —  it 's  an  old  man's 
advice,  and  I  have  drunk  some  hogsheads  of  it." 

With  these  words  he  ceased  to  speak,  while  his  head, 
falling  gently  forward  upon  his  chest,  proclaimed  him  sound 
asleep. 

"Adieu,  then,  for  the  last  time,"  said  I,  slapping  him 
gently  on  the  shoulder.     "  And  now  for  the  road." 


CHAPTEE  LVII. 

CUESTA. 

The  second  day  of  our  journey  was  drawing  to  a  close  as 
we  came  in  view  of  tlie  Spanish  army. 

Tlie  position  they  occupied  was  an  undulating  plain  beside 
the  Teitar  River ;  the  country  presented  no  striking  feature 
of  picturesque  beauty,  but  the  scene  before  us  needed  no  such 
aid  to  make  it  one  of  the  most  interesting  kind.  From  tlie 
little  mountain  path  we  travelled  we  beheld  beneath  a  force 
of  thirty  thousand  men  drawn  up  in  battle  array,  dense  col- 
umns of  infantry  alternating  with  squadrons  of  horse  or 
dark  masses  of  artillery  dotted  the  wide  plain,  the  bright 
steel  glittering  in  the  rich  sunset  of  a  July  evening  when  not 
a  breath  of  air  was  stirring  ;  the  very  banners  hung  down 
listlessly,  and  not  a  sound  broke  the  solemn  stillness  of  the 
hour.  All  was  silent.  So  impressive  and  so  strange  was 
the  spectacle  of  a  vast  army  thus  resting  mutely  under  arms, 
that  I  reined  in  my  horse,  and  almost  doubted  the  reality 
of  the  scene  as  I  gazed  upon  it.  The  dark  shadows  of  the 
tall  mountain  were  falliug  across  the  valley,  and  a  starry 
sky  was  already  replacing  the  ruddy  glow  of  sunset  as  we 
reached  the  plain ;  but  still  no  change  took  place  in  the 
position  of  the  Spanish  army. 

*'  Who  goes  there  ?  "  cried  a  hoarse  voice,  as  we  issued 
from  the  mountain  gorge,  and  in  a  moment  we  found  our- 
selves surrounded  by  an  outpost  party.  Having  explained, 
as  well  as  I  was  able,  who  I  was,  and  for  what  reason  I  was 
there,  I  proceeded  to  accompany  the  officer  towards  the 
camp. 

On  my  way  thither  I  learned  the  reason  of  the  singular 
display  of  troops  which  had  been  so  puzzling  to  me.  From 
an  early  hour  of  that  day  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley's  arrival 
had  been  expected,  and  old  Cuesta  had  drawn  up  his  men 
for  inspection,  and  remained  thus  for  several  hours  patiently 


CUESTA.  441 

awaiting  his  coming ;  he  himself,  overwhelmed  with  years 
and  infirmity,  sitting  upon  his  horse  the  entire  time. 

As  it  was  not  necessary  that  I  should  be  presented  to  the 
general,  my  report  being  for  the  ear  of  Sir  Arthur  himself, 
I  willingly  availed  myself  of  the  hospitality  proffered  by  a 
Spanish  officer  of  cavalry  ;  and  having  provided  for  the  com- 
forts of  my  tired  cattle  and  taken  a  hasty  supper,  issued 
forth  to  look  at  the  troops,  which,  although  it  was  now  grow- 
ing late,  were  still  in  the  same  attitude. 

Scarcely  had  I  been  half  an  hour  thus  occupied,  when  the 
stillness  of  the  scene  was  suddenly  interrupted  by  the  loud 
report  of  a  large  gun,  immediately  followed  by  a  long  roll 
of  musketry,  while  at  the  same  moment  the  bands  of  the 
different  regiments  striick  up,  and  as  if  by  magic  a  blaze  of 
red  light  streamed  across  the  dark  ranks.  This  was  effected 
by  pine  torches  held  aloft  at  intervals,  throwing  a  lurid 
glare  upon  the  grim  and  swarthy  features  of  the  Spaniards, 
whose  brown  uniforms  and  slouching  hats  presented  a  most 
picturesque  effect  as  the  red  light  fell  upon  them. 

The  swell  of  the  thundering  cannon  grew  louder  and 
nearer,  — the  shouldering  of  muskets,  the  clash  of  sabres,  and 
the  hoarse  roll  of  the  drum,  mingling  in  one  common  din. 
I  at  once  guessed  that  Sir  Arthur  had  arrived,  and  as  I 
turned  the  flank  of  a  battalion  I  saw  the  staff  approaching. 

Nothing  can  be  conceived  more  striking  than  their  advance. 
In  the  front  rode  old  Cuesta  himself,  clad  in  the  costume  of 
a  past  century,  his  slashed  doublet  and  trunk  hose  remind- 
ing one  of  a  more  chivalrous  period,  his  heavy,  unwieldy 
figure  looming  from  side  to  side,  and  threatening  at  each 
moment  to  fall  from  his  saddle.  On  each  side  of  him  walked 
two  figures  gorgeously  dressed,  whose  duty  appeared  to  be 
to  sustain  the  chief  in  his  seat.  At  his  side  rode  a  far  dif- 
ferent figure.  Mounted  upon  a  slight-made,  active  thorough- 
bred, whose  drawn  flanks  bespoke  a  long  and  weary  journey, 
sat  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  a  plain  blue  frock  and  gray  trous- 
ers being  his  unpretending  costume  ;  but  the  eagle  glance 
which  he  threw  around  on  every  side,  the  quick  motion  of 
his  hand  as  he  pointed  hither  and  thither  among  the  dense 
battalions,  bespoke  him  every  inch  a  soldier.  Behind  them 
came  a  brilliant  staff,  glittering  in  aiguillettes  and  golden 


442  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

trappings,  among  whom  I  recognized  some  well-remembered 
faces,  —  our  gallant  leader  at  the  Douro,  Sir  Charles  Stewart, 
among  the  number. 

As  they  passed  the  spot  where  I  was  standing,  the  torch 
of  a  foot  soldier  behind  me  flared  suddenly  up  and  threw  a 
strong  flash  upon  the  party,  Cuesta's  horse  grew  fright- 
ened, and  plunged  so  fearfully  for  a  minute  that  the  poor 
old  man  could  scarcely  keep  his  seat.  A.  smile  shot  across 
Sir  Arthur's  features  at  the  moment,  but  the  next  instant 
he  was  grave  and  steadfast  as  before. 

A  wretched  hovel,  thatched  and  in  ruins,  formed  the 
headquarters  of  the  Spanish  army,  and  thi^er  the  staff 
now  beut  their  steps,  —  a  supper  being  provided  there  for 
our  commander-in-chief  and  the  officers  of  his  suite.  Al- 
though not  of  the  privileged  party,  I  lingered  round  the 
spot  for  some  time,  anxiously  expecting  to  find  some  friend 
or  acquaintance  who  might  tell  nie  the  news  of  our  people, 
and  what  events  had  occurred  in  my  absence. 


CHAPTER  LVIII. 

THE    LETTER. 

The  hours  passed  slowly  over,  and  I  at  length  grew 
weary  of  waiting.  For  some  time  I  had  amused  myself 
with  observing  the  slouching  gait  and  unsoldier-like  air  of 
the  Spaniards  as  they  lounged  carelessly  about,  looking  in 
dress,  gesture,  and  appointment,  far  more  like  a  guerilla 
than  a  regular  force.  Then  again,  the  strange  contrast  of 
the  miserable  hut  with  falling  chimney  and  ruined  walls, 
to  the  glitter  of  the  mounted  guard  of  honor  who  sat 
motionless  beside  it,  served  to  pass  the  time;  but  as  the 
night  was  already  far  advanced,  I  turned  towards  my 
quarters,  hoping  that  the  next  morning  might  gratify  my 
curiosity  about  my  friends. 

Beside  the  tent  where  I  was  billeted,  I  found  Mike  in 
waiting,  who,  the  moment  he  saw  me,  came  hastily  forward 
with  a  letter  in  his  hand.  An  officer  of  Sir  Arthur's  staff 
had  left  it  while  I  was  absent,  desiring  Mike  on  no  account 
to  omit  its  delivery  the  first  instant  he  met  me.  The  hand 
—  not  a  very  legil3le  one  —  was  perfectly  unknown  to  me, 
and  the  appearance  of  the  billet  such  as  betrayed  no  over- 
scrupulous care  in  the  writer. 

I  trimmed  my  lamp  leisurely,  threw  a  fresh  log  upon  the 
fire,  disposed  myself  completely  at  full  length  beside  it, 
and  then  proceeded  to  form  acquaintance  with  my  unknown 
correspondent.  I  will  not  attempt  any  description  of  the 
feelings  which  gradually  filled  me  as  I  read  on ;  the  letter 
itself  will  suggest  them  to  those  who  know  my  story.  It 
ran  thus :  — 

Placentia,  July  8,  1809. 

Dear  O'Malley,  —  Althougli  I  'd  rather  march  to  Lisbon  barefoot 
than  write  three  lines,  Fred  Power  insists  upon  my  turning  scribe, 
as  he  has  a  notion  you'll  be  up  at  Cuesta's  headquarters  about  this 
time.     You  're  in  a  nice  scrape,  devil  a  lie  in  it  !     Here  has  Fred 


444  CHAELES  O'MALLEY. 

been  fighting  that  fellow  Trevyllian  for  you,  —  all  because  you  would 
not  have  patience  and  fight  him  yourself  the  morning  you  left  the 
Douro,  —  so  mu»:h  for  haste  !     Let  it  be  a  lesson  to  you  for  life. 

Poor  Fred  got  the  ball  in  his  hip,  and  the  devil  a  one  of  the  doctors 
can  find  it.  But  he 's  getting  better  any  way,  and  going  to  Lisbon 
for  change  of  air.  Meanwhile,  since  Power  's  been  wounded,  Trevyl- 
lian 's  speaking  very  hardly  of  you,  and  they  all  say  here  you  must 
come  back — no  matter  how  —  and  put  matters  to  rights.  Fred  has 
placed  the  thing  in  my  hands,  and  I  'm  thinking  we  'd  better  call  out 
the  "  heavies  "  by  turns,  —  for  most  of  them  stand  by  Trevyllian. 
Maurice  Quill  and  myself  sat  up  considering  it  last  night ;  but, 
somehow,  we  don't  clearly  remember  to-day  a  beautiful  plan  we  hit 
upon.  However,  we  '11  have  at  it  again  this  evening.  Meanwhile, 
come  over  here,  and  let  us  be  doing  something.  We  hear  that  old 
Monsoon  has  blown  up  a  town,  a  bridge,  and  a  big  convent.  They 
must  have  been  hiding  the  plunder  very  closely,  or  he  'd  never  have 
been  reduced  to  such  extremities.  We'll  have  a  brush  with  the 
French  soon.  Yours  most  eagerly, 

D.  O'Shaughnessy. 

My  first  thought,  as  I  ran  my  eye  over  these  lines,  was 
to  seek  for  Povv^er's  note,  written  on  the  morning  we  parted. 
I  opened  it,  and  to  my  horror  found  that  it  only  related  to 
my  quarrel  with  Hammersley.  My  meeting  with  Trevyllian 
had  been  during  Fred's  absence,  and  when  he  assured  me 
that  all  was  satisfactorily  arranged,  and  a  full  explanation 
tendered,  that  nothing  interfered  with  my  departure,  —  I 
utterly  forgot  that  he  was  only  aware  of  one  half  my 
troubles,  and  in  the  haste  and  bustle  of  my  departure, 
had  not  a  moment  left  me  to  collect  myself  and  think 
calmly  on  the  matter.  The  two  letters  lay  before  me,  and 
as  I  thought  over  the  stain  upon  my  character  thus  unwit- 
tingly incurred ;  the  blast  I  had  thrown  upon  my  reputa- 
tion; the  wound  of  my  poor  friend,  who  exposed  himself 
for  my  sake, — I  grew  sick  at  heart,  and  the  bitter  tears 
of  agony  burst  from  my  eyes. 

That  weary  night  passed  slowly  over ;  the  blight  of  all 
my  prospects,  when  they  seemed  fairest  and  brightest, 
presented  itself  to  me  in  a  hundred  shapes ;  and  when, 
overcome  by  fatigue  and  exhaustion,  I  closed  my  eyes  to 
sleep,  it  was  only  to  follow  up  in  my  dreams  my  waking 
thoughts.     Morning  came  at   length  ;   but  its  bright   sun- 


THE  LEFl'ER.  445 

shine  and  balmy  air  brought  no  comfort  to  me.  I  absolutely 
dreaded  to  meet  my  brother  officers  ;  I  felt  that  in  such  a 
position  as  I  stood,  no  half  or  partial  explanation  could 
suffice  to  set  me  right  in  their  estimation ;  and  yet,  what 
opportunity  had  I  for  aught  else  ?  Irresolute  how  to  act, 
I  sat  leaning  my  head  upon  my  hands,  when  I  heard  a  foot- 
step approach ;  I  looked  up  and  saw  before  me  no  other 
than  my  poor  friend  Sparks,  from  whom  I  had  been  sepa- 
rated so  long.  Any  other  adviser  at  such  a  moment  would, 
I  acknowledge,  have  been  as  welcome ;  for  the  poor  fellow 
knew  but  little  of  the  world,  and  still  less  of  the  service. 
However,  one  glance  convinced  me  that  his  heart  at  least 
was  true  ;  and  I  shook  his  outstretched  hand  with  delight. 
In  a  few  words  he  informed  me  that  Merivale  had  secretly 
commissioned  him  to  come  over  in  the  hope  of  meeting 
me ;  that  although  all  the  14th  men  were  persuaded  that 
I  was  not  to  blame  in  what  had  occurred,  — yet  that  reports 
so  injurious  had  gone  abroad,  so  many  partial  and  imperfect 
statements  were  circulated,  that  nothing  but  my  return  to 
headquarters  would  avail,  and  that  I  must  not  lose  a 
moment  in  having  Trevyllian  out,  with  whom  all  the  mis- 
representation had  originated. 

"This,  of  course,"  said  Sparks,  "is  to  be  a  secret; 
Merivale,  being  our  colonel  —  " 

"  Of  course,"  said  I,  "  he  cannot  countenance,  much  less 
counsel,  such  a  proceeding.     Now,  then,  for  the  road." 

"  Yes  ;  but  you  cannot  leave  before  making  your  report. 
Gordon  expects  to  see  you  at  eleven ;  he  told  me  so  last 
night." 

"I  cannot  help  it;  I  shall  not  wait ;  my  mind  is  made 
up.  My  career  here  matters  but  little  in  comparison  with 
this  horrid  charge.  I  shall  be  broke,  but  I  shall  be 
avenged." 

"  Come,  come,  O'Malley ;  you  are  in  our  hands  now,  and 
you  must  be  guided.  You  shall  wait ;  you  shall  see  Gor- 
don. Half  an  hour  will  make  your  report,  and  I  have  relays 
of  horses  along  the  road,  and  we  shall  reach  Placentia  by 
nightfall." 

There  was  a  tone  of  firmness  in  this,  so  unlike  anything 
I  ever  looked  for  in  the  speaker,  and  withal  so  much  of 


446  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

foresight  and  precaution,  that  I  could  scarcely  credit  my 
senses  as  he  spoke.  Having  at  length  agreed  to  his  pro- 
posal, Si)arks  left  me  to  think  over  my  return  of  the 
Legion,  promising  that  immediately  after  my  interview 
with  the  military  secretary,  we  should  start  together  for 
headquarters. 


CHAPTER   LIX. 

MAJOR   O'SHAUGHNESSY. 

"This  is  Major  O'Sliaughnessy's  quarters,  sir,"  said  a 
sergeant,  as  he  stopped  short  at  the  door  of  a  small,  low 
house  in  the  midst  of  an  olive  plantation ;  an  Irish  wolf-dog 
—  the  well-known  companion  of  the  major  —  lay  stretched 
across  the  entrance,  watching  with  eager  and  bloodshot 
eyes  the  process  of  cutting  up  a  bullock,  which  two  soldiers 
in  undress  jackets  were  performing  within  a  few  yards  of 
the  spot. 

Stepping  cautiously  across  the  savage-looking  sentinel, 
I  entered  the  little  hall,  and  finding  no  one  near,  passed 
into  a  small  room,  the  door  of  which  lay  half  open. 

A  very  palpable  odor  of  cigars  and  brandy  proclaimed, 
even  without  his  presence,  that  this  was  O'Shaughnessy's 
sitting-room ;  so  I  sat  myself  down  upon  an  old-fashioned 
sofa  to  wait  patiently  for  his  return,  which  I  heard  would 
be  immediately  after  the  evening  parade.  Sparks  had 
become  knocked  up  during  our  ride,  so  that  for  the  last 
three  leagues  I  was  alone,  and  like  most  men  in  such 
circumstances,  pressed  on  only  the  harder  Completely 
worn  out  for  want  of  rest,  I  had  scarcely  placed  myself  on 
the  sofa  when  I  fell  sound  asleep.  When  I  awoke,  all  was 
dark  around  me,  save  the  faint  flickerings  of  the  wood 
embers  on  the  hearth,  and  for  some  moments  I  could  not 
remember  where  I  was ;  but  by  degrees  recollection  came, 
and  as  I  thought  over  my  position  and  its  possible  con- 
sequences, I  was  again  nearly  dropping  to  sleep,  when  the 
door  suddenly  opened,  and  a  heavy  step  sounded  on  the 
floor. 

I  lay  still  and  spoke  not,  as  a  large  figure  in  a  cloak  ap- 
proached the  fire-place,  and  stooping  down  endeavored  to 
light  a  candle  at  the  fast  expiring  fire. 

I  had  little  difficulty  in  detecting  the  major  even  by  the 
half-light ;  a  muttered  execration  upon  the  candle,  given 


448  CHARLES   0'M.\XLEY. 

with  an  energy  that  only  an  Irishman  ever  bestows  upon 
slight  matters,  soon  satisfied  me  on  this  head. 

"  May  the  Devil  fly  away  with  the  commissary  and  the 
chandler  to  the  forces  !     Ah,  you  've  lit  at  last !  " 

With  these  words  he  stood  up,  and  his  eyes  falling  on 
me  at  the  moment,  he  sprang  a  yard  or  two  backwards, 
exclaiming  as  he  did  so,  '•'  The  blessed  Virgin  be  near  us, 
what 's  this  ?  "  a  most  energetic  crossing  of  himself  accom- 
panying his  words.  My  pale  and  haggard  face,  thus  sud- 
denly presented,  having  suggested  to  the  worthy  major 
the  impression  of  a  supernatural  visitor,  a  hearty  burst  of 
laughter,  which  I  could  not  resist,  was  my  only  answer ; 
and  the  next  moment  O'Shaughnessy  was  wrenching  my 
hand  in  a  grasp  like  a  steel  vice. 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  I  thouglit  it  was  your  ghost ;  and 
if  you  kept  quiet  a  little  longer,  I  was  going  to  promise  you 
Christian  burial,  and  as  many  Masses  for  your  soul  as  my 
uncle  the  bishop  could  say  between  this  and  Easter.  How 
are  you,  my  boy  ?  A  little  thin,  and  something  paler,  I 
think,  than  when  you  left  us." 

Having  assured  him  that  fatigue  and  hunger  were  in  a 
great  measure  the  cause  of  my  sickly  looks,  the  major 
proceeded  to  place  before  me  the  debris  of  his  day's  dinner, 
with  a  sufficiency  of  bottles  to  satisfy  a  mess-table,  keeping 
up  as  he  went  a  running  fire  of  conversation. 

*'  I  'm  as  glad  as  if  the  Lord  took  the  senior  major,  to  see 
you  here  this  night.  With  the  blessing  of  Providence  we  '11 
shoot  Trevyllian  in  the  morning,  and  any  more  of  the 
heavies  that  like  it.  You  are  an  ill-treated  man,  that 's 
what  it  is,  and  Dan  O'Shaughnessy  says  it.  Help  your- 
self, my  boy ;  crusty  old  port  in  that  bottle  as  ever  you 
touched  your  lips  to.  Power's  getting  all  right;  it  was 
contract  powder,  warranted  not  to  kill.  Bad  luck  to  the 
commissaries  once  more  !  With  such  ammunition  Sir  Arthur 
does  right  to  trust  most  to  the  bayonet.  And  how  is 
Monsoon,  the  old  rogue  ?  " 

"  Gloriously,  living  in  the  midst  of  wine  and  olives." 

"No  fear  of  him,  the  old  sinner;  but  he  is  a  fine  fellow, 
after  all.     Charley,  you  are  eating  nothing,  boy." 

"  To  tell  you  the  truth,  I  'm  far  more  anxious  to  talk 
with  you  at  this  moment  than  aught  else." 


MAJOR  O'SHAUGHNESSY.  449 

"  So  you  shall :  the  night 's  young.  Meanwhile,  I  had 
better  not  delay  matters.  You  want  to  have  Trevyllian 
out,  —  is  not  that  so  ?  " 

"  Of  course ;  you  are  aware  how  it  happened  ?  " 

"  I  know  everything.  Go  on  with  your  supper,  and  don't 
mind  me  ;  I  '11  be  back  in  twenty  minutes  or  less." 

Without  waiting  for  any  reply,  he  threw  his  cloak  around 
him,  and  strode  out  of  the  room.  Once  more  I  was  alone ; 
but  already  my  frame  of  mind  was  altered,  —  the  cheering 
tone  of  my  reckless,  gallant  countryman  had  raised  my 
spirits,  and  I  felt  animated  by  his  very  manner. 

An  hour  elapsed  before  the  major  returned ;  and  when 
he  did  come,  his  appearance  and  gestures  bespoke  anger 
and  disappointment.  He  threw  himself  hurriedly  into  a 
seat,  and  for  some  minutes  never  spoke. 

"  The  world  's  beautifully  changed,  anyhow,  since  I 
began  it,  O'Malley,  —  when  you  thanked  a  man  civilly 
that  asked  you  to  fight  him !  The  Devil  take  the  cowards, 
say  I." 

"  What  has  happened  ?     Tell  me,  I  beseech  you  ?  " 

"  He  won't  fight,"  said  the  major,  blurting  out  the  words 
as  if  they  would  choke  him. 

«  He  '11  not  fight !    And  why  ?  " 

The  major  was  silent.  He  seemed  confused  and  embar- 
rassed. He  turned  from  the  fire  to  the  table,  from  the  table 
to  the  fire,  poured  out  a  glass  of  wine,  drank  it  hastily  off, 
and  springing  from  his  chair,  paced  the  room  with  long,  im- 
patient strides. 

"  My  dear  O'Shaughnessy,  explain,  I  beg  of  you.  Does 
he  refuse  to  meet  me  for  any  reason  — " 

"  He  does,"  said  the  major,  turning  on  me  a  look  of  deep 
feeling  as  he  spoke  ;  "  and  he  does  it  to  ruin  you,  my  boy. 
But  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Dan,  he  '11  fail  this  time.  He 
was  sitting  with  his  friend  Beaufort  when  I  reached  his 
quarters,  and  received  me  with  all  the  ceremonious  polite- 
ness he  well  knows  how  to  assume.  I  told  him  in  a  few 
words  the  object  of  my  visit ;  upon  which  Trevyllian,  stand- 
ing up,  referred  me  to  his  friend  for  a  reply,  and  left  the 
room.  I  thought  that  all  was  right,  and  sat  down  to  dis- 
cuss, as  I  believed,  preliminaries,  when  the  cool  puppy, 
VOL.  I.  — 29 


450  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

with  his  back  to  the  fire,  carelessly  lisped  out,  '  It  can 't  be, 
Major ;  your  friend  is  too  late.' 

"  *  Too  late  ?  too  late  ?  '  said  I. 

"  '  Yes,  precisely  so  ;  not  up  to  time.  The  affair  should 
have  come  off  some  weeks  since.    We  won't  meet  him  now.' 

"  '  This  is  really  your  answer  ? ' 

" '  This  is  really  my  answer ;  and  not  only  so,  but  the 
decision  of  our  mess.' 

"  What  I  said  after  this  he  may  remember ;  devil  take  me 
if  I  can.  But  I  have  a  vague  recolleelion  of  saying  some- 
thing that  the  aforesaid  mess  will  never  petition  the  Horse 
Guards  to  put  on  their  regimental  colors ;  and  here  I  am  —  " 

With  these  words  the  major  gulped  down  a  full  goblet  of 
wine,  and  once  more  resumed  his  walk  through  the  room. 
I  shall  not  attempt  to  record  the  feelings  which  agitated  me 
during  the  major's  recital.  In  one  rapid  glance  I  saw  the 
aim  of  my  vindictive  enemy.  My  honor,  not  my  life,  was 
the  object  he  sought  for ;  and  ten  thousand  times  more 
than  ever  did  I  pant  for  the  opportunity  to  confront  him 
in  a  deadly  combat. 

"  Charley,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  at  length,  placing  his 
hand  upon  my  shoulder,  "  you  must  get  to  bed  now.  Noth- 
ing more  can  be  done  to-night  in  any  way.  Be  assured  of 
one  thing,  my  boy,  —  I  '11  not  desert  you ;  and  if  that  assur- 
ance can  give  you  a  sound  sleep,  you  '11  not  need  a  lullaby." 


CHAPTER    LX. 

PRELIMINARIES. 

I  AWOKE  refreshed  on  the  following  morning,  and  came 
down  to  breakfast  with  a  lighter  heart  than  I  had  even 
hoped  for.  A  secret  feeling  that  all  would  go  well  had  some- 
how taken  possession  of  me,  and  I  longed  for  O'Shaugh- 
nessy's  coming,  trusting  that  he  might  be  able  to  confirm 
my  hopes.  His  servant  informed  me  that  the  major  had 
been  absent  since  daybreak,  and  left  orders  that  he  was  not 
to  be  waited  for  at  breakfast. 

I  was  not  destined,  however,  to  pass  a  solitary  time  in 
his  absence,  for  every  moment  brought  some  new  arrival 
to  visit  me ;  and  during  the  morning  the  colonel  and  every 
officer  of  the  regiment  not  on  actual  duty  came  over.  I 
soon  learned  that  the  feeling  respecting  Trevyllian's  con- 
duct was  one  of  unmixed  condemnation  among  my  own 
corps,  but  that  a  kind  of  party  spirit  which  had  subsisted 
for  some  months  between  the  regiment  he  belonged  to  and 
the  14th  had  given  a  graver  character  to  the  affair,  and  in- 
duced many  men  to  take  up  his  views  of  the  transaction ; 
and  although  I  heard  of  none  who  attributed  my  absence  to 
any  dislike  to  a  meeting,  yet  there  were  several  who  con- 
ceived that,  by  my  going  at  the  time,  I  had  forfeited  all 
claim  to  satisfaction  at  his  hands. 

"  Now  that  Merivale  is  gone,"  said  an  officer  to  me  as 
the  colonel  left  the  room,  "I  may  confess  to  you  that  he 
sees  nothing  to  blame  in  your  conduct  throughout  ;  and 
even  had  you  been  aware  of  how  matters  were  circum- 
stanced, your  duty  was  too  imperative  to  have  preferred 
your  personal  consideration  to  it." 

"  Does  any  one  know  where  Conyers  is  ?  "  said  Baker. 

"  The  story  goes  that  Conyers  can  assist  us  here.  Con- 
yers is  at  Zaza  la  Mayor,  with  the  28th ;  but  what  can 
he  do?" 


452  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  That  I  'm  not  able  to  tell  you ;  but  I  know  O'Shaugh- 
nessy  heard  something  at  parade  this  morning,  and  has  set 
off  in  search  of  him  on  every  side." 

"  Was  Couyers  ever  out  with  Trevyllian  ?  " 

"  Not  as  a  principal,  I  believe.  The  report  is,  however, 
that  he  knows  more  about  him  than  other  people,  as  Tom 
certainly  does  of  everybody." 

"  It  is  rather  a  new  thing  for  Trevyllian  to  refuse  a  meet- 
ing.    They  say,  O'Malley,  he  has  heard  of  your  shooting." 

''  ]S'o,  no,"  said  another  ;  "  he  cares  very  little  for  any 
man's  pistol.  If  the  story  be  true,  he  fires  a  second  or  two 
before  his  adversary ;  at  least,  it  was  in  that  way  he  killed 
Carysfort." 

"  Here  comes  the  great  O'Shaughnessy ! "  cried  some  one 
at  the  window ;  and  the  next  moment  the  heavy  gallop  of  a 
horse  was  heard  along  the  causeway.  In  an  instant  we  all 
rushed  to  the  door  to  receive  him. 

*'  It 's  all  right,  lads  !  "  cried  he,  as  he  came  up.  "  We 
have  him  this  time  !  " 

"  How  ?  "  "  When  ?  "  "  Why  ?  "  "  In  what  way  have  you 
managed  ?  "  fell  from  a  dozen  voices,  as  the  major  elbowed 
his  way  through  the  crowd  to  the  sitting-room. 

"  In  the  first  place,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  drawing  a  long 
breath,  "I  have  promised  secrecy  as  to  the  steps  of  this 
transaction ;  secondly,  if  I  had  n't,  it  would  puzzle  me  to 
break  it,  for  I  '11  be  hanged  if  I  know  more  than  yourselves. 
Tom  Conyers  wrote  me  a  few  lines  for  Trevyllian,  and 
Trevyllian  pledges  himself  to  meet  our  friend ;  and  that 's 
all  we  need  know  or  care  for." 

"  Then  you  have  seen  Trevyllian  this  morning  ?  " 

"  No ;  Beaufort  met  me  at  the  village.  But  even  now 
it  seems  this  affair  is  never  to  come  off.  Trevyllian  has 
been  sent  with  a  forage  party  towards  Lesco.  However, 
that  can't  be  a  long  absence.  But,  for  Heaven's  sake,  let 
me  have  some  breakfast !  " 

While  O'Shaughnessy  proceeded  to  attack  the  viands  be- 
fore him,  the  others  chatted  about  in  little  groups  ;  but  all 
wore  the  pleased  and  happy  looks  of  men  who  had  rescued 
their  friend  from  a  menaced  danger.  As  for  myself,  my 
heart  swelled  with  gratitude  to  the  kind  fellows  around  me. 


PRELIMINARIES.  453 

"  How  has  Conyers  assisted  us  at  this  juncture  ?  "  was 
my  first  question  to  O'Shaughnessy,  when  we  were  once 
more  alone. 

"  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  si^eak  on  that  subject,  Charley. 
But  be  satisfied  the  reasons  for  which  Trevyllian  meets 
you  are  fair  and  honorable." 

"  I  am  content." 

"  The  only  thing  now  to  be  done  is  to  have  the  meeting 
as  soon  as  possible." 

"  We  are  all  agreed  upon  that  point,"  said  I ;  "  and  the 
more  so  as  the  matter  had  better  be  decided  before  Sir 
Arthur's  return." 

"  Quite  true.  And  now,  O'Malley,  you  had  better  join 
your  people  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  it  will  put  a  stop  to 
all  talking  about  the  matter." 

The  advice  was  good,  and  I  lost  no  time  in  complying 
with  it ;  and  when  I  joined  the  regiment  that  day  at  mess, 
it  was  with  a  light  heart  and  a  cheerful  spirit,  for  come 
what  might  of  the  affair,  of  one  thing  I  was  certain,  - —  my 
character  was  now  put  above  any  reach  of  aspersion,  and 
my  reputation  beyond  attack. 


CHAPTER   LXI. 

ALL   RIGHT. 

Some  days  after  coming  back  to  headquarters,  I  was  re- 
turning from  a  visit  I  had  been  making  to  a  friend  at 
one  of  the  outposts,  when  an  officer  whom  I  knew  slightly 
overtook  me  and  informed  me  that  Major  O'ShaUghnessy 
had  been  to  my  quarters  in  search  of  me,  and  had  sent  per- 
sons in  different  directions  to  find  me. 

Suspecting  the  object  of  the  major's  haste,  I  hurried  on 
at  once,  and  as  I  rode  up  to  the  spot,  found  him  in  the 
midst  of  a  group  oT  officers,  engaged,  to  all  appearance,  in 
most  eager  conversation. 

"  Oh,  here  he  comes  !  "  cried  he,  as  I  cantered  up.  "  Come, 
my  boy,  doff  the  blue  frock  as  soon  as  you  can,  and  turn 
out  in  your  best-fitting  black.  Everything  has  been  set- 
tled for  this  evening  at  seven  o'clock,  and  we  have  no  time 
to  lose." 

"  I  understand  you,"  said  I,  "  and  shall  not  keep  you 
waiting."  So  saying,  I  sprang  from  my  saddle  and  has- 
tened to  my  quarters.  As  I  entered  the  room  I  was  fol- 
lowed by  O'Shaughnessy,  who  closed  the  door  after  him 
as  he  came  in,  and  having  turned  the  key  in  it,  sat  down 
beside  the  table,  and  folding  his  arms,  seemed  buried  in 
reflection.  As  I  proceeded  with  my  toilet  he  returned  no 
answers  to  the  numerous  questions  I  put  to  him,  either  as 
to  the  time  of  Trevyllian's  return,  the  place  of  the  meet- 
ing, or  any  other  part  of  the  transaction.  His  attention 
seemed  to  wander  far  from  all  around  and  about  him ;  and 
as  he  muttered  indistinctly  to  himself,  the  few  words  I 
could  catch  bore  not  in  the  remotest  degree  upon  the  mat- 
ter before  us. 

"  I  have  written  a  letter  or  two  here.  Major,"  said  I,  open- 
ing my  writing-desk.  "  In  case  anything  happens,  you  will 
look  to  a  few  things  I  have  mentioned  here.     Somehow,  I 


ALL  RIGHT.  455 

could  not  write  to  poor  Fred  Power ;  but  you  must  tell  him 
from  me  that  his  noble  conduct  towards  me  was  the  last 
thing  I  spoke  of." 

"  What  confounded  nonsense  you  are  talking  ! "  said 
O'Shaughnessy,  springing  from  his  seat  and  crossing  the 
room  with  tremendous  strides,  "croaking  away  there  as 
if  the  bullet  was  in  your  thorax.  Hang  it,  man,  bear 
up!" 

"But,  Major,  my  dear  friend,  what  the  deuce  are  you 
thinking  of  ?     The  few  things  I  mentioned  — " 

"  The  devil !  you  are  not  going  over  it  all  again,  are 
you  ?  "  said  he,  in  a  voice  of  no  measured  tone. 

I  now  began  to  feel  irritated  in  turn,  and  really  looked 
at  him  for  some  seconds  in  considerable  amazement.  That 
he  should  have  mistaken  the  directions  I  was  giving  him 
and  attributed  them  to  any  cowardice  was  too  insulting  a 
thought  to  bear ;  and  yet  how  otherwise  was  I  to  under-  • 
stand  the  very  coarse  style  of  his  interruption  ? 

At  length  my  temper  got  the  victory,  and  with  a  voice 
of  most  measured  calmness,  I  said,  "  Major  O'Shaughnessy, 
I  am  grateful,  most  deeply  grateful,  for  the  part  you  have 
acted  towards  me  in  this  difficult  business  ;  at  the  same 
time,  as  you  now  appear  to  disapprove  of  my  conduct  and 
bearing,  when  I  am  most  firmly  determined  to  alter  noth- 
ing, I  shall  beg  to  relieve  you  of  the  unpleasant  office  of 
my  friend." 

"  Heaven  grant  that  you  could  do  so ! "  said  he,  inter- 
rupting me,  while  his  clasped  hands  and  eager  look  attested 
the  vehemence  of  the  wish.  He  paused  for  a  moment, 
then,  springing  from  his  chair,  rushed  towards  me,  and 
threw  his  arms  around  me.  "  No,  my  boy,  I  can't  do  it,  — 
I  can't  do  it.  I  have  tried  to  bully  myself  into  insensi- 
bility for  this  evening's  work,  —  I  have  endeavored  to  be 
rude  to  you,  that  you  might  insult  me,  and  steel  my  heart 
against  what  might  happen;  but  it  won't  do,  Charley,  it 
won't  do." 

With  these  words  the  big  tears  rolled  down  his  stern 
cheeks,  and  his  voice  became  thick  with  emotion. 

"  But  for  me,  all  this  need  not  have  happened.  I  know 
it;    I  feel  it.     I  hurried  on  this  meeting;  your  character 


456  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

stood  fair  and  unblemished  without  that,  —  at  least  they  tell 
me  so  now ;  and  I  still  have  to  assure  you  —  " 

"Come,  my  dear,  kind  friend,  don't  give  way  in  this 
fashion.  You  have  stood  manfully  by  me  through  every 
step  of  the  road;  don't  desert  me  on  the  threshold  of  —  " 

"  The  grave,  O'Malley  ?  " 

*'  I  don't  think  so.  Major ;  but  see,  half-past  six  !  Look 
to  these  pistols  for  me.  Are  they  likely  to  object  to 
hair-triggers  ?  " 

A  knocking  at  the  door  turned  off  our  attention,  and  the 
next  moment  Baker's  voice  was  heard. 

"  O'Malley,  you  '11  be  close  run  for  time ;  the  meeting- 
place  is  full  three  miles  from  this." 

I  seized  the  key  and  opened  the  door.  At  the  same 
instant,  O'Shaughnessy  rose  and  turned  towards  the  win- 
dow, holding  one  of  the  pistols  in  his  hand. 

"  Look  at  that.  Baker,  —  what  a  sweet  tool  it  is  ! "  said 
he,  in  a  voice  that  actually  made  me  start.  Not  a  trace 
of  his  late  excitement  remained ;  his  usually  dry,  half- 
humorous  manner  had  returned,  and  his  droll  features  were 
as  full  of  their  own  easy,  devil-may-care  fun  as  ever. 

"Here  comes  the  drag,"  said  Baker.  "We  can  drive 
nearly  all  the  way,  unless  you  prefer  riding." 

"  Of  course  not.  Keep  your  hand  steady,  Charley,  and  if 
you  don't  bring  him  down  with  that  saw-handle,  you  're  not 
your  uncle's  nephew." 

With  these  words  we  mounted  into  the  tax-cart,  and  set 
off  for  the  meeting-place. 


CHAPTER   LXII. 

THE    DUEL. 

A  SMALL  and  narrow  ravine  between  the  two  furze- 
covered  dells  led  to  the  open  space  where  the  meeting  had 
been  arranged  for.  As  we  reached  this,  therefore,  we  were 
obliged  to  descend  from  the  drag,  and  proceed  the  remain- 
der of  the  way  afoot.  We  had  not  gone  many  yards  when  a 
step  was  heard  approaching,  and  the  next  moment  Beaufort 
appeared.  His  usually  easy  and  degage  air  was  certainly 
tinged  with  somewhat  of  constraint ;  and  though  his  soft 
voice  and  half  smile  were  as  perfect  as  ever,  a  slightly 
flurried  expression  about  the  lip,  and  a  quick  and  nervous 
motion  of  his  eyebrow,  bespoke  a  heart  not  completely  at 
ease.  He  lifted  his  foraging  cap  most  ceremoniously  to 
salute  us  as  we  came  up,  and  casting  an  anxious  look  to 
see  if  any  others  were  following,  stood  quite  still. 

"  I  think  it  right  to  mention.  Major  O'Shaughnessy," 
said  he,  in  a  voice  of  most  dulcet  sweetness,  "  that  I  am  the 
only  friend  of  Captain  Trevyllian  on  the  ground;  and 
though  I  have  not  the  slightest  objection  to  Captain  Baker 
being  present,  I  hope  you  will  see  the  propriety  of  limiting 
the  witnesses  to  the  three  persons  now  here." 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  as  far  as  I  am  concerned,  or  my 
friend  either,  we  are  perfectly  indifferent  if  we  fight  before 
three  or  three  thousand.  In  Ireland  we  rather  like  a 
crowd." 

"  Of  course,  then,  as  you  see  no  objection  to  my  proposi- 
tion, I  may  count  upon  your  co-operation  in  the  event  of 
any  intrusion,  —  I  mean,  that  while  we,  upon  our  sides,  will 
not  permit  any  of  our  friends  to  come  forward,  you  will 
equally  exert  yourself  with  yours." 

"  Here  we  are.  Baker  and  myself,  neither  more  nor 
less.  We  expect  no  one,  and  want  no  one ;  so  that  I  humbly 
conceive  all  the  preliminaries  you  are  talking  of  will  never 
be  required." 


458  CHAKLES  O'MALLEY. 

Beaufort  tried  to  smile,  and  bit  his  lips,  while  a  small 
red  spot  upon  his  cheek  spoke  that  some  deeper  feeling  of 
irritation  than  the  mere  careless  manner  of  the  major  could 
account  for,  still  rankled  in  his  bosom.  We  now  walked  on 
without  speaking,  except  when  occasionally  some  passing 
observation  of  Beaufort  upon  the  fineness  of  the  evening, 
or  the  rugged  nature  of  the  road,  broke  the  silence.  As 
we  emerged  from  the  little  mountain  pass  into  the  open 
meadow  land,  the  tall  and  soldier-like  figure  of  Trevyllian 
was  the  first  object  that  presented  itself.  He  was  standing 
beside  a  little  stone  cross  that  stood  above  a  holy  well,  and 
seemed  occupied  in  deciphering  the  inscription.  He  turned 
at  the  noise  of  our  approach,  and  calmly  waited  our  coming. 
His  eye  glanced  quickly  from  the  features  of  O'Shaugh- 
nessy  to  those  of  Baker ;  but  seeming  rapidly  reassured  as 
he  walked  forward,  his  face  at  once  recovered  its  usual 
severity  and  its  cold,  impassive  look  of  sternness. 

"  All  right ! "  said  Beaufort,  in  a  whisper  the  tones  of 
which  I  overheard,  as  he  drew  near  to  his  friend.  Trevyl- 
lian  smiled  in  return,  but  did  not  speak.  During  the  few 
moments  which  passed  in  conversation  between  the  seconds, 
I  turned  from  the  spot  with  Baker,  and  had  scarcely  time 
to  address  a  question  to  him,  when  O'Shaughnessy  called 
out,  ''  Hollo,  Baker  !  —  come  here  a  moment ! "  The  three 
seemed  now  in  eager  discussion  for  some  minutes,  when 
Baker  walked  towards  Trevyllian,  and  saying  something, 
appeared  to  wait  for  his  reply.  This  being  obtained,  he 
joined  the  others,  and  the  moment  afterwards  came  to 
where  I  was  standing.  "You  are  to  toss  for  first  shot, 
O'Malley.  O'Shaughnessy  has  made  that  proposition,  and 
the  others  agree  that  with  two  crack  marksmen,  it  is  per- 
haps the  fairest  way.     I  suppose  you  have  no  objection  ?  " 

"  Of  course,  I  shall  make  none.  Whatever  O'Shaugh- 
nessy decides  for  me  I  am  ready  to  abide  by." 

"Well,  then,  as  to  the  distance?"  said  Beaufort,  loud 
enough  to  be  heard  by  me  where  I  was  standing.  O'Shaugh- 
nessy's  reply  I  could  not  catch,  but  it  was  evident,  from  the 
tone  of  both  parties,  that  some  difference  existed  on  the 
point. 

"  Captain  Baker  shall  decide  between  us,"  said  Beaufort, 


THE  DUEL.  459 

at  length,  and  they  all  walked  away  to  some  distance. 
During  all  the  while  I  could  perceive  that  Trevyllian's 
uneasiness  and  impatience  seemed  extreme ;  he  looked 
from  the  speakers  to  the  little  mountain  pass,  and  strained 
his  eyes  in  every  direction.  It  was  clear  that  he  dreaded 
some  interruption.  At  last,  unable  any  longer  to  control 
his  feelings,  he  called  out,  "  Beaufort,  I  say,  what  the  devil 
are  we  waiting  for  now  ?  " 

"  Nothing  at  present,"  said  Beaufort,  as  he  came  forward 
with  a  dollar  in  his  hand.  "Come,  Major  O'Shaughnessy, 
you  shall  call  for  your  friend." 

He  pitched  the  piece  of  money  as  he  spoke  high  into  the 
air,  and  watched  it  as  it  fell  on  the  soft  grass  beneath. 

"  Head  !  for  a  thousand,"  cried  O'Shaughnessy,  running 
over  and  stooping  down  ;  "and  head  it  is  !  " 

"  You  've  won  the  first  shot,"  whispered  Baker ;  "  for 
Heaven's  sake  be  cool !  " 

Beaufort  grew  deadly  pale  as  he  bent  over  the  crown- 
piece,  and  seemed  scarcely  to  have  courage  to  look  his 
friend  in  his  face.  Not  so  Trevyllian ;  he  pulled  off  his 
gloves  without  the  slightest  semblance  of  emotion,  buttoned 
up  his  well-fitting  black  frock  to  the  throat,  and  throwing 
a  rapid  glance  around,  seemed  only  eager  to  begin  the 
combat.  « 

"  Fifteen  paces,  and  the  words,  '  One,  two  ! '  " 

"  Exactly.     My  cane  shall  mark  the  spot." 

"Devilish  long  paces  you  make  them,"  said  O'Shaugh- 
nessy, who  did  not  seem  to  approve  of  the  distance.  "  They 
have  some  confounded  advantage  in  this,  depend  upon  it," 
said  the  major,  in  a  whisper  to  Baker. 

"  Are  you  ready  ?  "  inquired  Beaufort. 

"  Ready,  —  quite  ready  !  " 

"  Take  your  ground,  then  !  " 

As  Trevyllian  moved  forward  to  his  place,  he  muttered 
something  to  his  friend.  I  did  not  hear  the  first  part,  but 
the  latter  words  which  met  me  were  ominous  enough  :  "  For 
as  I  intend  to  shoot  him,  't  is  just  as  well  as  it  is." 

Whether  this  was  meant  to  be  overheard  and  intimidate 
me  I  knew  not ;  but  its  effect  proved  directly  opposite.  My 
firm  resolution  to  hit  my  antagonist  was  now  confirmed, 


460  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

and  no  compunctious  visitings  unnerved  my  arm.  As  we 
took  our  places  some  little  delay  again  took  place,  the  flint 
of  my  pistol  having  fallen ;  and  thus  we  remained  full  ten 
or  twelve  seconds  steadily  regarding  each  other.  At  length 
O'Shaughnessy  came  forward,  and  putting  my  weapon  in  my 
hand,  whispered  low,  "  Remember,  you  have  but  one  chance." 

"  You  are  both  ready  ?  "  cried  Beaufort. 

"Ready!" 

"Then:  One,  two—" 

The  last  word  was  lost  in  the  report  of  my  pistol,  which 
went  off  at  the  instant.  For  a  second  the  flash  and  smoke 
obstructed  my  view ;  but  the  moment  after  I  saw  Trevyl- 
lian  stretched  upon  the  ground,  with  his  friend  kneeling 
beside  him.  My  first  impulse  was  to  rush  over,  for  now  all 
feeling  of  enmity  was  buried  in  most  heartfelt  anxiety  for 
his  fate;  but  as  I  was  stepping  forward,  O'Shaughnessy 
called  out,  "  Stand  fast,  boy,  he  's  only  wounded ! "  and  the 
same  moment  he  rose  slowly  from  the  ground,  with  the 
assistance  of  his  friend,  and  looked  with  the  same  wild 
gaze  around  him.  Such  a  look !  I  shall  never  forget  it ; 
there  was  that  intense  expression  of  searching  anxiety,  as 
if  he  sought  to  trace  the  outlines  of  some  visionary  spirit 
as  it  receded  before  him.  Quickly  reassured,  as  it  seemed, 
by  the  glance  he  threw  on  all  sides,- his  countenance  lighted 
up,  not  with  pleasure,  but  with  a  fiendish  expression  of 
revengeful  triumph,  which  even  his  voice  evinced  as  he 
called  out :  "  It 's  my  turn  now." 

I  felt  the  words  in  their  full  force,  as  I  stood  silently 
awaiting  my  death  wound.  The  pause  was  a  long  one. 
Twice  did  he  interrupt  his  friend,  as  he  was  about  to  give 
the  word,  by  an  expression  of  suffering,  pressing  his  hand 
upon  his  side,  and  seeming  to  writhe  with  torture  ;  and  yet 
this  was  mere  counterfeit. 

O'Shaughnessy  was  now  coming  forward  to  interfere  and 
prevent  these  interruptions,  when  Trevyllian  called  out  in 
a  firm  tone,  "  I  'm  ready  ! "  At  the  words,  "  One,  two !  " 
the  pistol  slowly  rose ;  his  dark  eye  measured  me  coolly, 
steadily ;  his  lip  curled ;  and  just  as  I  felt  that  my  last 
moment  of  life  had  arrived,  a  heavy  sound  of  a  horse  gallop- 
ing along  the  rocky  causeway  seemed  to  take  off  his  atten- 


THE  DUEL. 


461 


tion.  His  frame  trembled,  his  hand  shook,  and  jerking 
upwards  his  weapon,  the  ball  passed  high  above  my  head. 

"You  bear  me  witness  I  tired  in  the  air,"  said  Trevyllian, 
while  the  large  drops  of  perspiration  rolled  from  his  fore- 
head, and  his  features  worked  as  if  in  a  fit. 

"  You  saw  it,  sir ;  and  you,  Beaufort,  ray  friend,  you 
also.     Speak  I     Why  will  you  not  speak  ?  " 

"  Be  calm,  Trevyllian ;  be  calm,  for  Heaven's  sake  I 
What 's  the  matter  with  you  ?  " 


^3^-C>^.'>:£« 


"  The  affair  is  then  ended,"  said  Baker,  "  and  most 
happily  so.     You  are,  I  hope,  not  dangerously  wounded." 

As  he  spoke,  Trevyllian's  features  grew  deadly  livid ; 
his  half-open  mouth  quivered  slightly,  his  eyes  became 
fixed,  and  his  arm  dropped  heavily  beside  him,  and  with  a 
low  moan  he  fell  fainting  to  the  ground. 

As  we  bent  over  him  I  now  perceived  that  another 
person  had  joined  our  party ;  he  was  a  short,  determined- 
looking  man  of  about  forty,  with  black  eyes  and  aquiline 
features.  Before  I  had  time  to  gues's  who  it  might  be,  I 
heard  O'Shaughnessy  address  him  as  Colonel  Conyers. 


4G2  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  He  is  dying ! "  said  Beaufort,  still  stooping  over  his 
friend,  whose  cold  hand  he  grasped  within  his  own.  "  Poor, 
poor  fellow  ! " 

"  He  lired  in  the  air,"  said  Baker,  as  he  spoke  in  reply 
to  a  question  from  Conyers. 

What  he  answered  I  heard  not,  but  Baker  rejoined,  — 

"  Yes,  I  am  certain  of  it.     We  all  saw  it." 

"  Had  you  not  better  examine  his  wounds  ? "  said  Con- 
yers, in  a  tone  of  sarcastic  irony  I  could  almost  have 
struck  him  for.  "  Is  your  friend  not  hit  ?  Perhaps  he  is 
bleeding  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  "  let  us  look  to  the  poor  fel- 
low now."  So  saying,  with  Beaufort's  aid  he  unbuttoned 
his  frock  and  succeeded  in  opening  his  waistcoat.  There 
was  no  trace  of  blood  anywhere,  and  the  idea  of  internal 
hemorrhage  at  once  occurred  to  us,  when  Conyers,  stooping 
down,  pushed  me  aside,  saying  at  the  same  time,  — 

"  Your  fears  for  his  safety  need  not  distress  you  much,  — 
look  here ! "  As  he  spoke  he  tore  open  his  shirt,  and  dis- 
closed to  our  almost  doubting  senses  a  vest  of  chain-mail 
armor  fitting  close  next  the  skin  and  completely  pistol- 
proof. 

I  cannot  describe  the  effect  this  sight  produced  upon  us. 
Beaufort  sprang  to  his  feet  with  a  bound  as  he  screamed 
out,  rather  than  spoke,  "No  man  believes  me  to  have  been 
aware  —  " 

"  No,  no,  Beaufort,  yoiir  reputation  is  very  far  removed 
from  such  a  stain,"  said  Conyers. 

O'Shaughnessy  was  perfectly  speechless.  He  looked  from 
one  to  the  other,  as  though  some  unexplained  mystery  still 
remained,  and  only  seemed  restored  to  any  sense  of  con- 
sciousness as  Baker  said,  "  I  can  feel  no  pulse  at  his  wrist, 
—  his  heart,  too,  does  not  beat." 

Conyers  placed  his  hand  upon  his  bosom,  then  felt  along 
his  throat,  lifted  up  an  arm,  and  letting  it  fall  heavily  upon 
the  ground,  he  muttered,  "  He  is  dead  !  " 

It  was  true.  No  wound  had  pierced  him,  — the  pistol  bul- 
let was  found  within  his  clothes.  Some  tremendous  conflict 
of  the  spirit  within  had  snapped  the  cords  of  life,  and  the 
strong  man  had  perished  in  his  agony. 


CHAPTER  LXIII. 

NEWS    FROM    GALWAY, 

I  HAVE  but  a  vague  and  most  imperfect  recollection  of 
the  events  which  followed  this  dreadful  scene;  for  some 
days  my  faculties  seemed  stunned  and  paralyzed,  and  my 
thoughts  clung  to  the  minute  detail  of  the  ground,  —  the 
persons  about,  the  mountain  path,  and  most  of  all  the  half- 
stifled  cry  that  spoke  the  broken  heart,  —  with  a  tenacity 
that  verged  upon  madness. 

A  court-martial  was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  affair ; 
and  although  I  have  been  since  told  that  my  deportment 
was  calm,  and  my  answers  were  firm  and  collected,  yet  I 
remember  nothing  of  the  proceedings. 

The  inquiry,  through  a  feeling  of  delicacy  for  the  friends 
of  him  who  was  no  more,  was  made  as  brief  and  as  private 
as  possible.  Beaufort  proved  the  facts  which  exonerated 
me  from  any  imputation  in  the  matter ;  and  upon  the  same 
day  the  court  delivered  the  decision:  "That  Lieutenant 
O'Malley  was  not  guilty  of  the  charges  preferred  against 
him,  and  that  he  should  be  released  from  arrest,  and  join 
his  regiment." 

Nothing  could  be  more  kind  and  considerate  than  the 
conduct  of  my  brother  officers,  —  a  hundred  little  plans  and 
devices  for  making  me  forget  the  late  unhappy  event  were 
suggested  and  practised,  —  and  I  look  back  to  that  melan- 
choly period,  marked  as  it  was  by  the  saddest  circumstance 
of  my  life,  as  one  in  which  I  received  more  of  truly  friendly 
companionship  than  even  my  palmiest  days  of  prosperity 
boasted. 

While,  therefore,  I  deeply  felt  the  good  part  my  friends 
were  performing  towards  me,  I  was  still  totally  unsuited  to 
join  in  the  happy  current  of  their  daily  pleasures  and  amuse- 
ments. The  gay  and  unreflecting  character  of  O'Shaugh- 
nessy,  the  careless  merriment  of  my  brother  officers,  jarred 


4G4  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

upon  my  nerves,  and  rendered  me  irritable  and  excited ;  and 
I  sought  in  lonely  rides  and  unfrequented  walks,  the  peace 
of  spirit  that  calm  reflection  and  a  firm  purpose  for  the  future 
rarely  fail  to  lead  to. 

There  is  in  deep  sorrow  a  touch  of  the  prophetic.  It  is 
at  seasons  when  the  heart  is  bowed  down  with  grief,  and 
the  spirit  wasted  with  suffering,  that  the  veil  which  con- 
ceals the  future  seems  to  be  removed,  and  a  glance,  short 
and  fleeting  as  the  lightning  flash,  is  permitted  us  into  the 
gloomy  valley  before  us. 

Misfortunes,  too,  come  not  singly,  —  the  seared  heart  is 
not  suffered  to  heal  from  one  affliction  ere  another  succeeds 
it ;  and  this  anticipation  of  the  coming  evil  is,  perhaps,  one 
of  the  most  poignant  features  of  grief,  —  the  ever-watchful 
apprehension,  the  ever-rising  question,  "  What  next  ?  "  is  a 
torture  that  never  sleeps. 

This  was  the  frame  of  my  mind  for  several  days  after  I 
returned  to  my  duty,  —  a  morbid  sense  of  some  threatened 
danger  being  my  last  thought  at  night  and  my  first  on 
awakening.  I  had  not  heard  from  home  since  my  arrival 
in  the  Peninsula;  a  thousand  vague  fancies  haunted  me 
now  that  some  brooding  misfortune  awaited  me.  My  poor 
uncle  never  left  my  thoughts.  Was  he  well;  was  he 
happy  ?  Was  he,  as  he  ever  used  to  be,  surrounded  by  the 
friends  he  loved,  —  the  old  familiar  faces  around  the  hos- 
pitable hearth  his  kindliness  had  hallowed  in  my  memory 
as  something  sacred  ?  Oh,  could  I  but  see  his  manly  smile, 
or  hear  his  voice  !  Could  I  but  feel  his  hand  upon  my  head, 
as  he  was  wont  to  press  it,  while  words  of  comfort  fell  from 
his  lips,  and  sunk  into  my  heart ! 

Such  were  my  thoughts  one  morning  as  I  sauntered,  un- 
accompanied, from  my  quarters.  I  had  not  gone  far,  when 
my  attention  was  aroused  by  the  noise  of  a  mule-cart,  whose 
jingling  bells  and  clattering  timbers  announced  its  approach 
by  the  road  I  was  walking.  Another  turn  of  the  way 
brought  it  into  view  5  and  I  saw  from  the  gay  costume  of 
the  driver,  as  well  as  a  small  orange  flag  which  decorated 
the  conveyance,  that  it  was  the  mail-cart  with  letters  from 
Lisbon. 

Full  as  my  mind  was  with  thoughts  of  home,  I  turned 


NEWS  FROM  GALWAY.  465 

hastily  back,  and  retraced  my  steps  towards  the  camp. 
When  I  reached  the  adjutant-general's  quarters,  I  found  a 
considerable  number  of  officers  assembled ;  the  report  that 
the  post  had  come  was  a  rumor  of  interest  to  all,  and  ac- 
cordingly, every  moment  brought  fresh  arrivals,  pouring  in 
from  all  sides,  and  eagerly  inquiring,  ''  If  the  bags  had  been 
opened  ? "  The  scene  of  riot,  confusion,  and  excitement, 
when  that  event  did  take  place,  exceeded  all  belief,  each 
man  reading  his  letter  half  aloud,  as  if  his  private  affairs 
and  domestic  concern^  must  interest  his  neighbors,  amidst  a 
volley  of  exclamations  of  surprise,  pleasure,  or  occasional 
anger,  as  the  intelligence  severally  suggested,  —  the  disap- 
pointed expectants  cursing  their  idle  correspondents,  be- 
moaning their  fate  about  remittances  that  never  arrived,  or 
drafts  never  honored ;  while  here  and  there  some  public 
benefactor,  with  an  outspread  ''Times"  or  "Chronicle," 
was  retailing  the  narrative  of  our  own  exploits  in  the 
Peninsula  or  the  more  novel  changes  in  the  world  of  poli- 
tics since  we  left  England.  A  cross-fire  of  news  and 
London  gossip  ringing  on  every  side  made  up  a  perfect 
Babel  most  difficult  to  form  an  idea  of.  The  jargon  par- 
took of  every  accent  and  intonation  the  empire  boasts  of ; 
and  from  the  sharp  precision  of  the  North  Tweeder  to  the 
broad  doric  of  Kerry,  every  portion,  almost  every  county,  of 
Great  Britain  had  its  representative.  Here  was  a  Scotch 
paymaster,  in  a  lugubrious  tone,  detailing  to  his  friend  the 
apparently  not  over-welcome  news  that  Mistress  M'Elwain 
had  just  been  safely  delivered  of  twins,  which,  with  their 
mother,  were  doing  as  well  as  possible.  Here  an  eager 
Irishman,  turning  over  the  pages  rather  than  reading  his 
letter,  while  he  exclaimed  to  his  friend,  — 

"  Oh,  the  devil  a  rap  she 's  sent  me.  The  old  story  about 
runaway  tenants  and  distress  notices,  —  sorrow  else  tenants 
seem  to  do  in  Ireland  than  run  away  every  half-year." 

A  little  apart  some  sentimental-looking  cockney  was  de- 
vouring a  very  crossed  epistle  which  he  pressed  to  his  lips 
whenever  any  one  looked  at  him  ;  while  a  host  of  others 
satisfied  themselves  by  reading  in  a  kind  of  buzzing  under- 
tone, every  now  and  then  interrupting  themselves  with  some 
broken  exclamation  as  commentary,  —  such  as,  "  Of  course 
VOL.  I.  —  30 


466  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

slie  will ! "  "  Never  knew  him  better  !  "  "  That 's  the  girl 
for  my  money  ! "  "  Fifty  per  cent,  the  devil ! "  and  so  on. 
At  last  I  was  beginning  to  weary  of  the  scene,  and  finding 
that  there  appeared  to  be  nothing  for  me,  was  turning  to 
leave  the  place,  when  I  saw  a  group  of  two  or  three 
endeavoring  to  spell  out  the  address  of  a  letter. 

"  That 's  an  Irish  post-mark,  I  '11  swear,"  said  one  ;  "  but 
who  can  make  anything  of  the  name  ?  It 's  devilish  like 
Otaheite,  is  n't  it  ?  " 

"  I  wish  my  tailor  wrote  as  illegibly,"  said  another ; 
"  I  *d  keep  up  a  most  animated  correspondence  with  hiui." 

"Here,  O'Shaughnessy,  you  know  something  of  savage 
life,  —  spell  us  this  word  here." 

"  Show  it  here.  What  nonsense,  it 's  as  plain  as  the 
nose  on  my  face :  *  Master  Charles  O'Malley,  in  foreign 
parts  ! ' " 

A  roar  of  laughter  followed  this  announcement,  which, 
at  any  other  time,  perhaps,  I  should  have  joined  in,  but 
which  now  grated  sadly  on  my  ruffled  feelings. 

"Here,  Chaiiey,  this  is  for  you,"  said  the  major;  and 
added  in  a  whisper,  —  "  and  upon  my  conscience,  between 
ourselves,  your  friend,  whoever  he  is,  has  a  strong  action 
against  his  writing-master,  —  devil  such  a  fist  ever  I  looked 
at!" 

One  glance  satisfied  me  as  to  my  correspondent.  It  was 
from  Father  Rush,  my  old  tutor.  I  hurried  eagerly  from 
the  spot,  and  regaining  my  quarters,  locked  the  door,  and 
with  a  beating  heart  broke  the  seal  and  began,  as  well  as  I 
was  able,  to  decipher  his  letter.  The  hand  was  cramped 
and  stiffened  with  age,  and  the  bold,  upright  letters  were 
gnarled  and  twisted  like  a  rustic  fence,  and  demanded  great 
patience  and  much  time  in  unravelling.     It  ran  thus  :  — 

The  PnioRY,  Lady-day,  1809. 
My  dear  Master  Charles,  — Yonr  uncle's  feet  are  so  big  and 
so  uneasy  that  he  can't  write,  and  I  am  obliged  to  take  up  the  pen 
myself,  to  tell  you  how  we  are  doing  here  since  j'ou  left  us.  And, 
first  of  all,  the  master  lost  the  lawsuit  in  Dublin,  all  for  the  want 
of  a  Galway  jury,  — but  they  don't  go  up  to  town  for  strong  reasons 
they  had  ;  and  the  Curranolick  property  is  ffone  to  Ned  M'M;uius, 
and  may  the  devil  do  him  good  with  it !     Peggy  Maher  left  this  on 


NEWS  FROM   GALWAY.  467 

Tuesday  ;  she  was  complaining  of  a  weakness  ;  she  's  gone  to  consult 
the  doctors.     I  'm  sorry  for  poor  Peggy. 

Owen  M'Neil  beat  the  Slatterys  out  of  Portumna  on  Saturday, 
and  Jem,  they  say,  is  fractured.  I  trust  it 's  true,  for  he  never  was 
good,  root  nor  hi-anch,  and  we  've  strong  reasons  to  suspect  him  for 
drawing  the  river  with  a  net  at  night.  Sir  Harry  Boyle  sprained  his 
wrist,  breaking  open  his  bed-room,  that  he  locked  when  he  was  in- 
side. The  count  and  the  master  were  laughing  all  the  evening  at 
him.  ^Matters  are  going  very  hard  in  the  country,  —  the  people  pay- 
ing their  rents  regularly,  and  not  caring  half  as  much  as  they  used 
about  the  real  gentry  and  the  old  families. 

We  kept  your  birthday  at  the  Castle  in  great  style,  —  had  the 
militia  band  from  the  town,  and  all  the  tenants.  Mr.  James  Daly 
danced  with  your  old  friend  Mary  Green,  and  sang  a  beautiful  song, 
and  was  going  to  raise  the  devil,  but  I  interfered  ;  he  burned  down 
half  the  blue  drawing-room  the  last  night  with  his  tricks,  —  not  that 
your  uncle  cares,  God  preserve  him  to  us !  it 's  little  anything  like 
that  would  fret  him.  The  count  quarrelled  with  a  young  gentleman 
in  the  course  of  the  evening,  but  found  out  he  was  only  an  attorney 
from  Dublin,  so  he  did  n't  shoot  him  ;  but  he  was  ducked  in  the  pond 
by  the  people,  and  your  uncle  says  he  hopes  they  have  a  true  copy  of 
him  at  home,  as  they  '11  never  know  the  original. 

Peter  died  soon  after  you  went  away,  but  Tim  hunts  the  dogs 
just  as  well.  They  had  a  beautiful  run  last  Wednesday,  and  the 
Lord  ^  sent  for  him  and  gave  him  a  five-pound  note  ;  but  he  says 
he  'd  rather  see  yourself  back  again  than  twice  as  much.  They 
killed  near  the  big  titmip-field,  and  all  went  down  to  see  where  you 
leaped  Badger  over  the  sunk  fence,  —  they  call  it  "  Hammersley's 
Nose  "  ever  since.  Bodkin  was  at  Ballinasloe  the  last  fair,  limping 
about  with  a  stick  ;  he  's  twice  as  quiet  as  he  used  to  be,  and  never 
beat  any  one  since  that  morning. 

Nellie  Guire,  at  the  cross-roads,  wants  to  send  you  four  pair  of 
stockings  she  knitted  for  you,  and  I  have  a  keg  of  potteen  of  Barney's 
own  making  this  two  months,  not  knowing  how  to  send  it.  May  he 
Sir  Arthur  himself  would  like  a  taste,  —  he  's  an  Irishman  himself, 
and  one  we  're  proud  of,  too !  The  Maynooth  chaps  are  flying  all 
about  the  country,  and  making  us  all  uncomfortable,  —  God's  will  be 
done,  but  we  used  to  think  ourselves  good  enougli !  Your  foster- 
sister,  Kitty  Doolan,  had  a  fine  boy  ;  it 's  to  be  called  after  you,  and 
your  uncle 's  to  give  a  christening.  He  bids  me  tell  you  to  draw 
on  him  when  you  want  money,  and  that  there's  £400  ready  for  j^ou 
now  somewhere  in  Dublin,  —  I  forget  the  name,  and  as  he 's  asleep,  I 

*  To  excuse  Father  Rush  for  any  apparent  impiety,  I  must  add  that, 
by  "  the  Lord,"  he  means  "  Lord  Clanricarde." 


468  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

don't  like  asking  him.  There  was  a  droll  devil  down  here  in  the 
summer  that  knew  you  well,  —  a  Mr.  Webber.  The  master  treated 
him  like  the  Lord  Lieutenant,  had  dinner  parties  for  him,  and 
gave  him  Oliver  Cromwell  to  ride  over  to  Meelish.  He  is  expected 
again  for  the  cock-shooting,  for  the  master  likes  him  greatly.  I  'm 
done  at  last,  for  my  paper  is  finished  and  the  candle  just  out;  so  with 
every  good  wish  and  every  good  thought,  remember  your  own  old 
friend, —  Peter  Rush. 

P.  S.  It 's  Smart  and  Sykes,  Fleet  Street,  has  the  money. 
Father  O'Shaughnessey,  of  Ennis,  bids  me  ask  if  you  ever  met  his 
nephew.  If  you  do,  make  him  sing  "  Larry  M'Hale."  I  hear  it 's  a 
treat. 

How  is  Mickey  Free  going  on  ?  There  are  three  decent  young 
women  in  the  parish  he  promised  to  marry,  and  I  suppose  he  's  pur- 
suing the  same  game  with  the  Portuguese.  But  he  was  never 
remarkable  for  minding  his  duties.  Tell  him  I  am  keeping  my  eye 
on  him.  P.  R. 

Here  concluded  this  long  epistle ;  and  though  there  were 
many  parts  I  could  not  help  smiling  at,  yet  upon  the  whole 
I  felt  sad  and  dispirited.  What  I  had  long  foreseen  and 
anticipated  was  gradually  accomplishing,  — the  wreck  of  an 
old  and  honored  house,  the  fall  of  a  name  once  the  watch- 
word for  all  that  was  benevolent  and  hospitable  in  the  land. 
The  termination  of  the  lawsuit  I  knew  must  have  been  a 
heavy  blow  to  my  poor  uncle,  who,  every  consideration  of 
money  apart,  felt  in  a  legal  combat  all  the  enthusiasm  and 
excitement  of  a  personal  conflict.  With  him  there  was  less 
a  question  of  to  whom  the  broad  acres  reverted,  so  much  as 
whether  that  "  scoundrel  Tom  Basset,  the  attorney  at  Ath- 
lone,  should  triumph  over  us  ; "  or  "  M'Manus  live  in  the 
house  as  master  where  his  father  had  officiated  as  butler." 
It  was  at  this  his  Irish  pride  took  offence ;  and  straitened 
circumstances  and  narrowed  fortunes  bore  little  upon  him 
in  comparison  with  this  feeling. 

I  could  see,  too,  that  with  breaking  fortunes,  bad  health 
was  making  heavy  inroads  upon  him  ;  and  while,  with  the 
reckless  desperation  of  ruin,  he  still  kept  open  house,  I 
could  picture  to  myself  his  cheerful  eye  and  handsome 
smile  but  ill  concealing  the  slow  but  certain  march  of  a 
broken  heart. 


NEWS  FROM  GALWAY.  469 

My  position  was  doubly  painful :  for  any  advice,  had  I 
been  calculated  to  give  it,  would  have  seemed  an  act  of 
indelicate  interference  from  one  who  was  to  benefit  by  his 
own  counsel ;  and  although  I  had  been  reared  and  educated 
as  my  uncle's  heir,  I  had  no  title  nor  pretension  to  succeed 
him  other  than  his  kind  feelings  respecting  me.  I  could, 
therefore,  only  look  on  in  silence,  and  watch  the  painful 
progress  of  our  downfall  without  power  to  arrest  it. 

These  were  sad  thoughts,  and  came  when  my  heart  was 
already  bowed  down  with  its  affliction.  That  my  poor  uncle 
might  be  spared  the  misery  which  sooner  or  later  seemed 
inevitable,  was  now  my  only  wish ;  that  he  might  go  down 
to  the  grave  without  the  embittering  feelings  which  a  ruined 
fortune  and  a  fallen  house  bring  home  to  the  heart,  was  all 
my  prayer.  Let  him  but  close  his  eyes  in  the  old  wainscoted 
bed-room,  beneath  the  old  roof  where  his  fathers  and  grand- 
fathers have  done  so  for  centuries.  Let  the  faithful  follow- 
ers he  has  known  since  his  childhood  stand  round  his  bed  ; 
while  his  fast-failing  sight  recognizes  each  old  and  well- 
remembered  object,  and  the  same  bell  which  rang  its  fare- 
well to  the  spirit  of  his  ancestors  toll  for  him,  the  last  of 
his  race.  And  as  for  me,  there  was  the  wide  world  before 
me,  and  a  narrow  resting-place  would  suffice  for  a  soldier's 
sepulchre. 

As  the  mail-cart  was  returning  the  next  day  to  Lisbon,  I 
immediately  sat  down  and  replied  to  the  worthy  Father's 
letter,  speaking  as  encouragingly  as  I  could  of  my  own 
prospects.  I  dwelt  much  upon  what  was  nearest  my  heart, 
and  begged  of  the  good  priest  to  watch  over  my  uncle's 
health,  to  cheer  his  spirits  and  support  his  courage  ;  and 
that  I  trusted  the  day  was  not  far  distant  when  I  should 
be  once  more  among  them,  with  many  a  story  of  fray  and 
battle-field  to  enliven  their  firesides.  Pressing  him  to  write 
frequently  to  me,  I  closed  my  hurried  letter ;  and  having 
despatched  it,  sat  sorrowfully  down  to  muse  over  my 
fortunes. 


CHAPTER   LXIV. 

•     AN   ADVENTURE   WITH    SIR   ARTHUR. 

The  events  of  the  last  few  days  had  impressed  me  with  a 
weight  of  years.  The  awful  circumstances  of  that  evening 
lay  heavily  at  my  heart ;  and  though  guiltless  of  Trevyl- 
lian's  blood,  the  reproach  that  conscience  ever  carries  when 
one  has  been  involved  in  a  death-scene  never  left  my 
thoughts. 

For  some  time  previously  I  had  been  depressed  and  dis- 
spirited,  and  the  awful  shock  I  had  sustained  broke  my 
nerve  and  unmanned  me  greatly. 

There  are  times  when  our  sorrows  tinge  all  the  colorings 
of  our  thoughts,  and  one  pervading  hue  of  melancholy 
spreads  like  a  pall  upon  what  we  have  of  fairest  and 
brightest  on  earth.  So  was  it  now  :  I  had  lost  hope  and 
ambition  ;  a  sad  feeling  that  my  career  was  destined  to 
misfortune  and  mishap  gained  hourly  upon  me ;  and  all  the 
bright  aspirations  of  a  soldier's  glory,  all  my  enthusiasm 
for  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  Avar,  fell  coldly 
upon  my  heart,  and  I  looked  upon  the  chivalry  of  a  soldier's 
life  as  the  empty  pageant  of  a  dream. 

In  this  sad  frame  of  mind,  I  avoided  all  inlerconrse  with 
my  brother  officers  ;  their  gay  and  joyous  spirits  only  jarred 
upon  my  brooding  thoughts,  and  feigning  illness,  I  kept 
almost  entirely  to  ray  quarters. 

The  inactivity  of  our  present  life  weighed  also  heavily 
upon  me.  The  stirring  events  of  a  campaign  —  the  march, 
the  bivouac,  the  picket  —  call  forth  a  certain  physical  exer- 
tion that  never  fails  to  react  upon  the  torpid  mind. 

Forgetting  all  around  me,  I  thought  of  home  ;  I  thought 
of  those  whose  hearts  I  felt  were  now  turning  towards  me, 
and  considered  within  myself  how  I  could  have  exchanged 
the  home,  the  days  of  peaceful  happiness  there,  for  the  life 
of  misery  and  disappointment  I  now  endured. 


A^  ADVENTURE  WITH  SIR  ARTHUR.  471 

A  brooding  melancholy  gained  daily  more  and  more  upon 
me.  A  wish  to  return  to  Ireland,  a  vague  and  indistinct 
feeling  that  my  career  was  not  destined  for  aught  of  great 
and  good  crept  upon  me,  and  I  longed  to  sink  into  oblivion, 
forgotten  and  forgot. 

I  record  this  painful  feeling  here,  while  it  is  still  a  painful 
memory,  as  one  of  the  dark  shadows  that  cross  the  bright 
sky  of  our  happiest  days. 

Happy,  indeed,  are  they,  as  we  look  back  to  them  and 
remember  the  times  we  have  pronounced  ourselves  "the 
most  miserable  of  mankind."  This,  somehow,  is  a  confes- 
sion we  never  make  later  on  in  life,  when  real  troubles  and 
true  afflictions  assail  us.  AVhether  we  call  in  more  philoso- 
phy to  our  aid,  or  that  our  senses  become  less  acute  and  dis- 
cerning, I  'm  sure  I  know  not. 

As  for  me,  I  confess  by  far  the  greater  portion  of  my 
sorrows  seemed  to  come  in  that  budding  period  of  existence 
when  life  is  ever  fairest  and  most  captivating.  Not,  per- 
haps, that  the  fact  was  really  so,  but  the  spoiled  and  hu- 
mored child,  whose  caprices  were  a  law,  felt  heavily  the 
threatening  difficulties  of  his  first  voyage ;  while  as  he 
continued  to  sail  over  the  ocean  of  life,  he  braved  the  storm 
and  the  squall,  and  felt  only  gratitude  for  the  favoring  breeze 
that  wafted  him  upon  his  course. 

What  an  admirable  remedy  for  misanthropy  is  the  being 
placed  in  a  subordinate  condition  in  life  !  Had  I,  at  the 
period  that  I  write,  been  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley  ;  had  I  even 
been  Marshal  Beresford,  —  to  all  certainty  I  'd  have  played 
the  very  devil  with  his  Majesty's  forces  ;  I  'd  have  brought 
my  rascals  to  where  they  'd  have  been  well-peppered,  that 's 
certain. 

But  as,  luckily  for  the  sake  of  humanity  in  general  and 
the  well-being  of  the  service  in  particular,  I  was  merely 
Lieutenant  O'Malley,  14th  Light  Dragoons,  the  case  was 
very  different.  With  what  heavy  censure  did  I  condemn  the 
commander  of  the  forces  in  my  own  miud  for  his  want  of 
daring  and  enterprise  !  Whole  nights  did  I  pass  in  endeav- 
oring to  account  for  his  inactivity  and  lethargy.  Why  he 
did  not  seriatim  fall  upon  Soult,  ISTey,  and  Victor,  annihilate 
the  French  forces,  and  sack  Madrid,  I  looked  upon  as  little 


472  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

less  than  a  riddle ;  and  yet  there  he  waited,  drilling,  exer- 
cising, and  foraging,  as  if  he  were  at  Hounslow.  Now  most 
fortunately  here  again  I  was  not  Sir  Arthur. 

Something  in  this  frame  of  mind,  I  was  taking  one  even- 
ing a  solitary  ride  some  miles  from  the  camp.  Without 
noticing  the  circumstance,  I  had  entered  a  little  mountain 
tract,  when,  the  ground  being  broken  and  uneven,  I  dis- 
mounted and  proceeded  a-foot,  with  the  bridle  within  my 
arm.  I  had  not  gone  far  when  the  clatter  of  a  horse's  hoofs 
came  rapidly  towards  me,  and  though  there  was  something 
startling  in  the  pace  over  such  a  piece  of  road,  I  never  lifted 
my  eyes  as  the  horseman  came  up,  but  continued  my  slow 
progress  onwards,  my  head  sunk  upon  my  bosom. 

"  Hallo,  sir ! "  cried  a  sharp  voice,  Avhose  tones  seemed, 
somehow,  not  heard  for  the  first  time.  I  looked  up,  saw  a 
slight  figure  closely  buttoned  up  in  a  blue  horseman's  cloak, 
the  collar  of  which  almost  entirely  hid  his  features ;  he  wore 
a  plain,  cocked  hat  without  a  feather,  and  was  mounted  upon 
a  sharp,  wiry-looking  hack. 

"  Hallo,  sir  !     What  regiment  do  you  belong  to  ?  " 

As  I  had  nothing  of  the  soldier  about  me,  save  a  blue 
foraging  cap,  to  denote  my  corps,  the  tone  of  the  demand 
was  little  calculated  to  elicit  a  very  polished  reply ;  but  pre- 
ferring, as  most  impertinent,  to  make  no  answer,  I  passed 
on  without  speaking. 

"  Did  you  hear,  sir  ? "  cried  the  same  voice,  in  a  still 
louder  key.     "  What 's  your  regiment  ?  " 

I  now  turned  round,  resolved  to  question  the  other  in 
turn ;  when,  to  my  inexpressible  shame  and  confusion,  he 
had  lowered  the  collar  of  his  cloak,  and  I  saw  the  features 
of  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley. 

"  Fourteenth  Light  Dragoons,  sir,"  said  I,  blushing  as  I 
spoke. 

"  Have  you  not  read  the  general  order,  sir  ?  Why  have 
you  left  the  camp  ?  " 

Now,  I  had  not  read  a  general  order  nor  even  heard  one 
for  above  a  fortnight.  So  I  stammered  out  some  bungling 
answer. 

"  To  your  quarters,  sir,  and  report  yourself  under  arrest. 
What  '8  your  name  ?  " 


AN  ADVENTURE  WITH  SIR  ARTHUR.  473 

"Lieutenant  O'Malley,  sir." 

"  Well,  sir,  your  passion  for  rambling  shall  be  indulged. 
You  shall  be  sent  to  the  rear  with  despatches  ;  and  as  the 
army  is  in  advance,  probably  the  lesson  may  be  serviceable." 
So  saying,  he  pressed  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  was  out  of  sight 
in  a  moment. 


CHAPTER  LXV. 

TALAVERA. 

Having  been  despatched  to  the  rear  with  orders  for 
General  Crawfurd,  I  did  not  reach  Talavera  till  the  morn- 
ing of  the  28th.  Two  days'  hard  fighting  had  left  the  con- 
tending armies  still  face  to  face,  and  without  any  decided 
advantage  on  either  side. 

When  I  arrived  upon  the  battle-field,  the  combat  of  the 
morning  was  over.  It  was  then  ten  o'clock,  and  the  troops 
Avere  at  breakfast,  if  the  few  ounces  of  wheat  sparingly  dealt 
out  among  them  could  be  dignified  by  that  name.  All  was, 
however,  life  and  animation  on  every  side ;  the  merry  laugh, 
the  passing  jest,  the  careless  look,  bespoke  the  free  and  dar- 
ing character  of  the  soldiery,  as  they  sat  in  groups  upon  the 
grass ;  and  except  when  a  fatigue  party  passed  by,  bearing 
some  wounded  comrade  to  the  rear,  no  touch  of  seriousness 
rested  upon  their  hardy  features.  The  morning  was  indeed 
a  glorious  one ;  a  sky  of  unclouded  blue  stretched  above  a 
landscape  unsurpassed  in  loveliness.  Far  to  the  right  rolled 
on  in  placid  stream  the  broad  Tagus,  bathing  in  its  eddies 
the  very  walls  of  Talavera,  the  ground  from  which,  to  our 
position,  gently  undulated  across  a  plain  of  most  fertile  rich- 
ness and  terminated  on  our  extreme  left  in  a  bold  height, 
protected  in  front  by  a  ravine,  and  flanked  by  a  deep  and 
rugged  valley. 

The  Spaniards  occupied  the  right  of  the  line,  connecting 
with  our  troops  at  a  rising  ground,  upon  which  a  strong 
redoubt  had  been  hastily  thrown  up.  The  fourth  division 
and  the  Guards  were  stationed  here,  next  to  whom  came 
Cameron's  brigade  and  the  Germans,  Mackenzie  and  Hill 
holding  the  extreme  left  of  all,  which  might  be  called  the 
key  of  our  position.  In  the  valley  beneath  the  latter  were 
picketed  three  cavalry  regiments,  among  which  I  was  not 
long  in  detecting  my  gallant  friends  of  the  Twenty -third. 


TALAVERA.  475 

As  I  rode  rapidly  past,  saluting  some  old  familiar  face  at 
each  moment,  I  could  not  help  feeling  struck  at  the  evi- 
dence of  the  desperate  battle  that  so  lately  had  raged 
there.  The  whole  surface  of  the  hill  was  one  mass  of  dead 
and  dying,  the  bearskin  of  the  French  grenadier  lying  side 
by  side  with  the  tartan  of  the  Highlander.  Deep  furrows 
in  the  soil  showed  the  track  of  the  furious  cannonade,  and 
the  terrible  evidences  of  a  bayonet  charge  were  written  in 
the  mangled  corpses  around. 

The  fight  had  been  maintained  without  any  intermission 
from  daybreak  till  near  nine  o'clock  that  morning,  and  the 
slaughter  on  both  sides  was  dreadful.  The  mounds  of  fresh 
earth  on  every  side  told  of  the  soldier's  sepulchre ;  and  the 
unceasing  tramp  of  the  pioneers  struck  sadly  upon  the  ear, 
as  the  groans  of  the  wounded  blended  with  the  funeral 
sounds  around  them. 

In  front  were  drawn  up  the  dark  legions  of  France ,  — 
massive  columns  of  infantry,  with  dense  bodies  of  artillery 
alternating  along  the  line.  They,  too,  occupied  a  gently 
rising  ground,  the  valley  between  the  two  armies  being 
crossed  half  way  by  a  little  rivulet ;  and  here,  during  the 
sultry  heat  of  the  morning,  the  troops  on  both  sides  met 
and  mingled  to  quench  their  thirst  ere  the  trumpet  again 
called  them  to  the  slaughter. 

In  a  small  ravine  near  the  centre  of  our  line  were  drawn 
up  Cotton's  brigade,  of  whom  the  Fusiliers  formed  a  part. 
Directly  in  front  of  this  were  Campbell's  brigade,  to  the 
left  of  which,  upon  a  gentle  slope,  the  staff  were  now  as- 
sembled. Thither,  accordingly,  I  bent  my  steps,  and  as 
I  came  up  the  little  scarp,  found  myself  among  the  gener- 
als of  division,  hastily  summoned  by  Sir  Arthur  to  deliber- 
ate upon  a  forward  movement.  The  council  lasted  scarcely 
a  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  when  I  presented  myself  to 
deliver  my  report,  all  the  dispositions  for  the  battle  had 
been  decided  upon,  and  the  commander  of  the  forces,  seated 
upon  the  grass  at  his  breakfast,  looked  by  far  the  most  un- 
concerned and  uninterested  man  I  had  seen  that  morning. 

He  turned  his  head  rapidly  as  I  came  up,  and  before  the 
aide-de-camp  could  announce  me,  called  out :  — 

"  Well,  sir,  what  news  of  the  reinforcements  ?  " 


476  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  They  cannot  reach  Talavera  before  to-morrow,  sir." 

"  Then,  before  that,  we  shall  not  want  them.  That  will 
do,  sir." 

So  saying,  he  resumed  his  breakfast,  and  I  retired,  more 
than  ever  struck  with  the  surprising  coolness  of  the  man 
upon  whom  no  disappointment  seemed  to  have  the  slightest 
influence. 

I  had  scarcely  rejoined  my  regiment,  and  Avas  giving  an 
account  to  my  brother  oificers  of  my  journey,  when  an 
aide-de-camp  came  galloping  at  full  speed  down  the  line, 
and  communicating  with  the  several  commanding  oflS.cers 
as  he  passed. 

What  might  be  the  nature  of  the  orders  we  could  not 
guess  at ;  for  no  word  to  fall  in  followed,  and  yet  it  was 
evident  something  of  importance  was  at  hand.  Upon  the 
hill  where  the  staff  were  assembled  no  unusual  bustle  ap- 
peared ;  and  we  could  see  the  bay  cob  of  Sir  Arthur  still 
being  led  up  and  down  by  the  groom,  with  a  dragoon's 
mantle  thrown  over  him.  The  soldiers,  overcome  by  the 
heat  and  fatigue  of  the  morning,  lay  stretched  around  upon 
the  grass,  and  everything  bespoke  a  period  of  rest  and 
refreshment. 

"  We  are  going  to  advance,  depend  upon  it ! "  said  a 
young  officer  beside  me  ;  "  the  repulse  of  this  morning  has 
been  a  smart  lesson  to  the  French,  and  Sir  Arthur  won't 
leave  them  without  impressing  it  upon  them." 

"  Hark,  what 's  that  ?  "  cried  Baker ;  "  listen ! " 

As  he  spoke,  a  strain  of  most  delicious  music  came  wafted 
across  the  plain.  It  was  from  the  band  of  a  French  regi- 
ment, and  mellowed  by  the  distance,  it  seemed  in  the  calm 
stillness  of  the  morning  air  like  something  less  of  earth 
than  heaven.  As  we  listened,  the  notes  swelled  upwards 
yet  fuller ;  and  one  by  one  the  different  bands  seemed  to 
join,  till  at  last  the  whole  air  seemed  full  of  the  rich  flood 
of  melody. 

We  could  now  perceive  the  stragglers  were  rapidly 
falling  back,  while  high  above  all  other  sounds  the  clang- 
ing notes  of  the  trumpet  were  heard  along  the  line.  The 
hoarse  drum  now  beat  to  arms ;  and  soon  after  a  brilliant 
staff  rode  slowly  from  between  two  dense  bodies  of  infan- 


TALAVERA.  477 

try,  and  advancing  some  distance  into  the  plain,  seemed 
to  reconnoitre  us.  A  cloud  of  Polish  cavalry,  distinguished 
by  their  long  lances  and  floating  banners,  loitered  in  their 
rear. 

We  had  not  time  for  further  observation,  when  the 
drums  on  our  side  beat  to  arms,  and  the  hoarse  cry,  "  Fall 
in,  —  fall  in  there,  lads  ! "  resounded  along  the  line. 

It  was  now  one  o'clock,  and  before  half  an  hour  the 
troops  had  resumed  the  position  of  the  morning,  and  stood 
silent  and  anxious  spectators  of  the  scene  before  them. 

Upon  the  table-land  to  the  rear  of  the  French  position, 
we  could  descry  the  gorgeous  tent  of  King  Joseph,  around 
which  a  large  and  splendidly-accoutred  staff  were  seen 
standing.  Here,  too,  the  bustle  and  excitement  seemed 
considerable,  for  to  this  point  the  dark  masses  of  the  in- 
fantry seemed  converging  from  the  extreme  right;  and 
here  we  could  perceive  the  royal  guards  and  the  reserve 
now  forming  in  column  of  attack. 

From  the  crest  of  the  hill  down  to  the  very  valley,  the 
dark,  dense  ranks  extended,  the  flanks  protected  by  a 
powerful  artillery  and  deep  masses  of  heavy  cavalry.  It 
was  evident  that  the  attack  was  not  to  commence  on  our 
side,  and  the  greatest  and  most  intense  anxiety  pervaded 
us  as  to  what  part  of  our  line  was  first  to  be  assailed. 

IMeanwhile  Sir  Arthur  Wellesley,  who  from  the  height 
had  been  patiently  observing  the  field  of  battle,  despatched 
an  aide-de-camp  at  full  gallop  towards  Campbell's  brigade, 
posted  directly  in  advance  of  us.  As  he  passed  swiftly 
along,  he  called  out,  "  You  're  in  for  it.  Fourteenth ;  you  '11 
have  to  open  the  ball  to-day." 

Scarcely  were  the  words  spoken,  Avhen  a  signal  gun  from 
the  French  boomed  heavily  through  the  still  air.  The  last 
echo  was  growing  fainter,  and  the  heavy  smoke  breaking 
into  mist,  when  the  most  deafening  thunder  ever  my  ears 
heard  came  pealing  around  us ;  eighty  pieces  of  artillery 
had  opened  upon  us,  sending  a  very  tempest  of  balls  upon 
our  line,  while  midst  the  smoke  and  dust  we  could  see  the 
light  troops  advancing  at  a  run,  followed  by  the  broad  and 
massive  columns  in  all  the  terror  and  majesty  of  war. 

"What  a   splendid   attack!     How  gallantly  they  come 


478  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

on  ! "  cried  an  old  veteran  officer  beside  me,  forgetting  all 
rivalry  in  his  noble  admiration  of  our  enemy. 

The  intervening  space  was  soon  passed,  and  the  tirailleurs 
falling  back  as  the  columns  came  on,  the  towering  masses 
bore  down  upon  Campbell's  division  with  a  loud  cry  of 
defiance.  Silently  and  steadily  the  English  infantry  awaited 
the  attack,  and  returning  the  fire  with  one  withering  volley, 
■were  ordered  to  charge.  Scarcely  were  the  bayonets  low- 
ered, when  the  head  of  the  advancing  column  broke  and 
fled,  while  Mackenzie's  brigade,  overlapping  the  flank, 
pushed  boldly  forward,  and  a  scene  of  frightful  carnage 
followed ;  for  a  moment  a  hand-to-hand  combat  was  sus- 
tained, but  the  unbroken  files  and  impregnable  bayonets 
of  the  English  conquered,  and  the  French  fled,  leaving  six 
guns  behind  them. 

The  gallant  enemy  were  troops  of  tried  and  proved  covir- 
age,  and  scarcely  had  they  retreated  when  they  again 
formed ;  but  just  as  they  prepared  to  come  forward,  a  tre- 
mendous shower  of  grape  opened  upon  them  from  our 
batteries,  while  a  cloud  of  Spanish  horse  assailed  them  in 
flank  and  nearly  cut  them  in  pieces. 

While  this  was  passing  on  the  right,  a  tremendous  attack 
menaced  the  hill  upon  which  our  left  was  posted.  Two 
powerful  columns  of  French  infantry,  supported  by  some 
regiments  of  light  cavalry,  came  steadily  forward  to  the 
attack ;  Anson's  brigade  were  ordered  to  charge. 

Away  they  went  at  top  speed,  but  had  not  gone  above 
a  hundred  yards  when  they  were  suddenly  arrested  by 
a  deep  chasm  ;  here  the  German  hussars  pulled  short  up, 
but  the  Twenty -third  dashing  impetuously  forward ;  a  scene 
of  terrific  carnage  ensued,  men  and  horses  rolling  indis- 
criminately together  under  a  withering  fire  from  the  French 
squares.  Even  here,  however,  British  valor  quailed  not,  for 
Major  Francis  Ponsonby,  forming  all  who  came  up,  rode 
boldly  upon  a  brigade  of  French  chasseurs  in  the  rear. 
Victor,  who  from  the  first  had  watched  the  movement,  at 
once  despatched  a  lancer  regiment  against  them,  and  then 
these  brave  fellows  were  absolutely  cut  to  atoms,  the  few 
who  escaped  having  passed  through  the  French  columns 
and  reached  Bassecour's  Spanish  division  on  the  far  right. 


TALAVERA.  479 

During  this  time  the  hill  was  again  assailed,  and  even 
more  desperately  than  before ;  while  Victor  himself  led  on 
the  fourth  corps  to  an  attack  upon  our  right  and  centre. 

The  Guards  waited  without  flinching  the  impetuous  rush 
of  the  advancing  columns,  and  when  at  length  within  a 
short  distance,  dashed  forward  with  the  bayonet,  driving 
everything  before  them.  The  French  fell  back  upon  their 
sustaining  masses,  and  rallying  in  an  instant,  again  came 
forward,  supported  by  a  tremendous  Are  from  their  bat- 
teries. The  Guards  drew  back,  and  the  German  Legion, 
suddenly  thrown  into  confusion,  began  to  retire  in  disorder. 
This  was  the  most  critical  moment  of  the  day,  for  although 
successful  upon  the  extreme  right  and  left  of  our  line,  our 
centre  was  absolutely  broken.  Just  at  this  moment  Gordon 
rode  up  to  our  brigade  ;  his  face  was  pale,  and  his  look 
flurried  and  excited. 

"  The  Forty-eighth  are  coming ;  here  they  are,  —  support 
them,  Fourteenth." 

These  few  words  were  all  he  spoke ;  and  the  next  moment 
the  measured  tread  of  a  column  was  heard  behind  us.  On 
they  came  like  one  man,  their  compact  and  dense  formation 
looking  like  some  massive  wall ;  wheeling  by  companies, 
they  suffered  the  Guards  and  Germans  to  retire  behind 
them,  and  then,  reforming  into  line,  they  rushed  forward 
with  the  bayonet.  Our  artillery  opened  with  a  deafening 
thunder  behind  them,  and  then  we  were  ordered  to  charge. 

We  came  on  at  a  trot ;  the  Guards,  who  had  now  recov- 
ered their  formation,  cheered  us  as  we  proceeded.  The 
smoke  of  the  cannonade  obscured  everything  until  we  had 
advanced  some  distance,  but  just  as  we  emerged  beyond  the 
line  of  the  gallant  Forty-eighth,  the  splendid  panorama  of 
the  battle-field  broke  suddenly  upon  us. 

"Charge,  forward!"  cried  the  hoarse  voice  of  our 
colonel ;  and  we  were  upon  them.  The  French  infantry, 
already  broken  by  the  withering  musketry  of  our  people, 
gave  way  before  us,  and  unable  to  form  a  square,  retired 
fighting  but  in  confusion,  and  with  tremendous  loss,  to 
their  position.  One  glorious  cheer,  from  left  to  right  of 
our  line,  proclaimed  the  victory,  while  a  deafening  dis- 
charge of  artillery  from  the  French  replied  to  this  defiance, 


480  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

and  the  battle  was  over.  Had  the  Spanish  army  been 
capable  of  a  forward  movement,  our  successes  at  this  moment 
would  have  been  much  more  considerable ;  but  they  did 
not  dare  to  change  their  position,  and  the  repulse  of  our 
enemy  was  destined  to  be  all  our  glory.  The  French, 
however,  suffered  much  more  severely  than  we  did;  and 
retiring  during  the  night,  fell  back  behind  the  Alberche. 
leaving  us  the  victory  and  the  battle-field. 


CHAPTER  LXVI. 

NIGHT    AFTER    TALAVEBA. 

The  night  which  followed  the  battle  was  a  sad  one. 
Through  the  darkness,  and  under  a  fast-falling  rain,  the 
hours  were  spent  in  searching  for  our  wounded  comrades 
amidst  the  heap  of  slain  upon  the  field ;  and  the  glimmering 
of  the  lanterns,  as  they  flickered  far  and  near  across  the 
wide  plain,  bespoke  the  track  of  the  fatigue  parties  in 
their  mournful  round;  while  the  groans  of  the  wounded 
rose  amidst  the  silence  with  an  accent  of  heart-rending  an- 
guish; so  true  was  it,  as  our  great  commander  said,  *' There 
is  nothing  more  sad  than  a  victory,  except  a  defeat." 

Around  our  bivouac  fires,  the  feeling  of  sorrowful  de- 
pression was  also  evident.  We  had  gained  a  great  victory, 
it  was  true  :  we  had  beaten  the  far-famed  legions  of  France 
upon  a  ground  of  their  own  choosing,  led  by  the  most  cele- 
brated of  their  marshals  and  under  the  eyes  of  the  Emper- 
or's own  brother ;  but  still  we  felt  all  the  hazardous  daring 
of  our  position,  and  had  no  confidence  whatever  in  the 
courage  or  discipline  of  our  allies  ;  and  we  saw  that  in  the 
very  melie  of  the  battle  the  eiforts  of  the  enemy  were 
directed  almost  exclusively  against  our  line,  so  confidently 
did  they  undervalue  the  efforts  of  the  Spanish  troops. 
Morning  broke  at  length,  and  scarcely  was  the  heavy  mist 
clearing  away  before  the  red  sunlight,  when  the  sounds  of 
fife  and  drum  were  heard  from  a  distant  part  of  the  field. 
The  notes  swelled  or  sank  as  the  breeze  rose  or  fell,  and 
many  a  conjecture  was  hazarded  as  to  their  meaning,  for 
no  object  was  well  visible  for  more  than  a  few  hundred 
yards  oif;  gradually,  however,  they  grew  nearer  and 
nearer,  and  at  length,  as  the  air  cleared,  and  the  hazy 
vapor  evaporated,  the  bright  scarlet  uniform  of  a  British 
regiment  was  seen  advancing  at  a  quick-step. 

As  they  came  nearer,  the  well-known  march  of  the  gal- 
lant 43d  was  recognized  by  some  of  our  people,  and  imme- 

VOL.   I.  —  31 


482  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

diately  the  rumor  fled  like  lightning :  "  It  is  Crawfurd's 
brigade  !  "  and  so  it  was ;  the  noble  fellow  had  inarched  his 
division  the  unparalleled  distance  of  sixty  English  miles  in 
twenty-seven  hours.  Over  a  burning  sandy  soil,  exposed  to 
a  raging  sun,  without  rations,  almost  without  water,  these 
gallant  troops  pressed  on  in  the  unwearied  hope  of  sharing 
the  glory  of  the  battle-field.  One  tremendous  cheer  wel- 
comed the  head  of  the  column  as  they  marched  past,  and 
continued  till  the  last  file  had  deployed  before  us. 

As  these  splendid  regiments  moved  by  we  could  not  help 
feeling  what  signal  service  they  might  have  rendered  us  but 
a  few  hours  before.  Their  soldier-like  bearing,  their  high 
and  effective  state  of  discipline,  their  well-known  reputa- 
tion, were  in  every  mouth ;  and  I  scarcely  think  that  any 
corps  who  stood  the  brunt  of  the  mighty  battle  were  the 
subject  of  more  encomium  than  the  brave  fellows  who  had 
just  joined  us. 

The  mournful  duties  of  the  night  were  soon  forgotten  in 
the  gay  and  buoyant  sounds  on  every  side.  Congratulations, 
shaking  of  hands,  kind  inquiries,  went  round ;  and  as  we 
looked  to  the  hilly  ground  where  so  lately  were  drawn  up 
in  battle  array  the  dark  columns  of  our  enemy,  and  where 
not  one  sentinel  now  remained,  the  proud  feeling  of  our 
victory  came  home  to  our  hearts  with  the  ever-thrilling 
thought,  "  What  will  they  say  at  home  ?  " 

I  was  standing  amidst  a  group  of  my  brother  officers, 
when  I  received  an  order  from  the  colonel  to  ride  down  to 
Talavera  for  the  return  of  our  wounded,  as  the  arrival  of 
the  commander-in-chief  was  momentarily  looked  for.  I 
threw  myself  upon  my  horse,  and  setting  out  at  a  brisk 
pace,  soon  reached  the  gates. 

On  entering  the  town,  I  was  obliged  to  dismount  and  pro- 
ceed on  foot.  The  streets  were  completely  filled  with 
people,  treading  their  way  among  wagons,  forage  carts,  and 
sick-litters.  Here  was  a  booth  filled  with  all  imaginable 
wares  for  sale ;  there  was  a  temporary  gin-shop  established 
beneath  a  broken  baggage-wagon;  here  might  be  seen  a 
merry  party  throwing  dice  for  a  turkey  or  a  kid ;  there,  a 
wounded  man,  with  bloodless  cheek  and  tottering  step,  in- 
quiring the  road  to  the  hospital.  The  accents  of  agony 
mingled  with  the  drunken  chorus,  and  the  sharp  crack  of 


NIGHT  AFTER  TALAVERA.  483 

the  provost-marshal's  whip  was  heard  above  the  boisterous 
revelling  of  the  debauchee.  All  was  confusion,  bustle,  and 
excitement.  The  staff  officer,  with  his  flowing  plume  and 
glittering  epaulettes,  wended  his  way  on  foot,  amidst  the  din 
and  bustle,  unnoticed  and  uncared  for ;  while  the  little 
drummer  amused  an  admiring  audience  of  simple  country- 
folk by  some  wondrous  tale  of  the  great  victory. 

My  passage  through  this  dense  mass  was  necessarily  a 
slow  one.  No  one  made  way  for  another ;  discipline  for  the 
time  was  at  an  end,  and  with  it  all  respect  for  rank  or 
position.  It  was  what  nothing  of  mere  vicissitude  in  the 
fortune  of  war  can  equal,  —  the  wild  orgies  of  an  army  the 
day  after  a  battle. 

On  turning  the  corner  of  a  narrow  street,  my  attention 
was  attracted  by  a  crowd  which,  gathered  round  a  small 
fountain,  seemed,  as  well  as  I  could  perceive,  to  wit- 
ness some  proceeding  with  a  more  than  ordinary  interest. 
Exclamations  in  Portuguese,  expressive  of  surprise  and 
admiration,  were  mingled  with  English  oaths  and  Irish 
ejaculations,  while  high  above  all  rose  other  sounds,  —  the 
cries  of  some  one  in  pain  and  suffering ;  forcing  my  way 
through  the  dense  group,  I  at  length  reached  the  interior  of 
the  crowd  when,  to  my  astonishment,  I  perceived  a  short, 
fat,  punchy-looking  man,  stripped  of  his  coat  and  waist-coat, 
and  with  his  shirt-sleeves  rolled  up  to  his  shoulder,  busily 
employed  in  operating  upon  a  wounded  soldier.  Amputa- 
tion knives,  tourniquets,  bandages,  and  all  other  imaginable 
instruments  for  giving  or  alleviating  torture  were  strewed 
about  him,  and  from  the  arrangement  and  preparation,  it 
was  clear  that  he  had  pitched  upon  this  spot  as  an  hospital 
for  his  patients.  While  he  continued  to  perform  his  func- 
tions with  a  singular  speed  and  dexterity,  he  never  for  a 
moment  ceased  a  running  fire  of  small  talk,  now  addressed 
to  the  patient  in  particular,  now  to  the  crowd  at  large, 
sometimes  a  soliloquy  to  himself,  and  not  unfrequently, 
abstractedly,  upon  things  in  general.  These  little  speci- 
mens of  oratory,  delivered  in  such  a  place  at  such  a  time, 
and,  not  least  of  all,  in  the  richest  imaginable  Cork  accent, 
were  sufficient  to  arrest  my  steps,  and  I  stopped  for  some 
time  to  observe  him. 


484  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

The  patient,  who  was  a  large,  powerfully-built  fellow, 
had  been  wounded  in  both  legs  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell, 
but  yet  not  so  severely  as  to  require  amputation, 

"  Does  that  plaze  you,  then  ? "  said  the  doctor,  as  he 
applied  some  powerful  caustic  to  a  wounded  vessel ;  "  there 's 
no  satisfying  the  like  of  you.  Quite  warm  and  comfortable 
ye '11  be  this  morning  after  that.  I  saw  the  same  shell 
coming,  and  I  called  out  to  Maurice  Blake,  '  By  your  leave, 
Maurice,  let  that  fellow  pass,  he 's  in  a  hurr}^ ! '  and  faith, 
I  said  to  myself,  '  there  's  more  where  you  came  from,  — 
you're  not  an  only  child,  and  I  never  liked  the  family.' 
What  are  ye  grinning  for,  ye  brown  thieves  ?  "  This  was 
addressed  to  the  Portuguese.  "  There,  now,  keep  the  limb 
quiet  and  easy.  Upon  my  conscience,  if  that  shell  fell  into 
ould  Lundy  Foot's  shop  this  morning,  there  'd  be  plenty  of 
sneezing  in  Sacksville  Street.  Who 's  next  ? "  said  he, 
looking  round  with  an  expression  that  seemed  to  threaten 
that  if  no  wounded  man  was  ready  he  was  quite  prepared 
to  carve  out  a  patient  for  himself.  Not  exactly  relishing 
the  invitation  in  the  searching  that  accompanied  it,  I 
backed  my  way  through  the  crowd,  and  continued  my  path 
towards  the  hospital. 

Here  the  scene  which  presented  itself  was  shocking  be- 
yond belief,  —  frightful  and  ghastly  wounds  from  shells  and 
cannon-shot  were  seen  on  all  sides,  every  imaginable  species 
of  suifering  that  man  is  capable  of  was  presented  to  view ; 
while  amidst  the  dead  and  dying,  operations  the  most  pain- 
ful were  proceeding  with  a  haste  and  bustle  that  plainly 
showed  how  many  more  waited  their  turn  for  similar 
offices.  The  stairs  were  blocked  up  with  fresh  arrivals  of 
wounded  men,  and  even  upon  the  corridors  and  landing- 
places  the  sick  were  strewn  on  all  sides. 

I  hurried  to  that  part  of  the  building  where  my  own 
people  were,  and  soon  learned  that  our  loss  was  confined  to 
about  fourteen  wounded;  five  of  them  were  officers.  But 
fortunately,  we  lost  not  a  man  of  our  gallant  fellows,  and 
Talavera  brought  us  no  mourning  for  a  comrade  to  damp 
the  exultation  we  felt  in  our  victory. 


CHAPTER  LXVII. 

THE    OUTPOST. 

During  the  three  days  which  succeeded  the  battle,  all 
things  remained  as  they  were  before.  The  enemy  had 
gradually  withdrawn  all  his  forces,  and  our  most  advanced 
pickets  never  came  in  sight  of  a  French  detachment.  Still, 
although  we  had  gained  a  great  victory,  our  situation  was 
anything  but  flattering.  The_  most  strenuous  exertions  of 
the  commissariat  were  barely  sufficient  to  provision  the 
troops ;  and  we  had  even  already  but  too  much  experience 
of  how  little  trust  or  reliance  could  be  reposed  in  the 
most  lavish  promises  of  our  allies.  It  was  true,  our  spirits 
failed  us  not ;  but  it  was  rather  from  an  implicit  and  never- 
failing  confidence  in  the  resources  of  our  great  leader,  than 
that  any  among  us  could  see  his  way  through  the  dense 
cloud  of  difficulty  and  danger  that  seemed  to  envelop  us  on 
every  side. 

To  add  to  the  pressing  emergency  of  our  position,  we 
learned  on  the  evening  of  the  31st  that  Soult  was  advancing 
from  the  north,  and  at  the  head  of  fourteen  thousand  chosen 
troops  in  full  march  upon  Placentia ;  thus  threatening  our 
rear,  at  the  very  moment  too,  when  any  further  advance 
was  evidently  impossible. 

On  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  August,  I  was  ordered,  with 
a  small  party,  to  push  forward  in  the  direction  of  the 
Alberche,  upon  the  left  bank  of  which  it  was  reported  that 
the  French  were  again  concentrating  their  forces,  and  if 
possible,  to  obtain  information  of  their  future  movements. 
Meanwhile  the  army  was  about  to  fall  back  upon  Oropesa, 
there  to  await  Soult's  advance,  and  if  necessary,  to  give  him 
battle ;  Cuesta  engaging  with  his  Spaniards  to  secure  Tal- 
avera,  with  its  stores  and  hospitals,  against  any  present 
movement  from  Victor. 

After  a  hearty  breakfast,  and  a  kind  "  Good-by ! "  from 
my  brother  officers,  I  set  out.     My  road  along  the  Tagus, 


486  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

for  several  miles  of  the  way,  was  a  narrow  path  scarped 
from  the  rocky  ledge  of  the  river,  shaded  by  rich  olive 
plantations  that  threw  a  friendly  shade  over  us  during  the 
noonday  heat. 

We  travelled  along  silently,  sparing  our  cattle  from  time 
to  time,  but  endeavoring  ere  nightfall  to  reach  Torrijos,  in 
which  village  we  had  heard  several  French  soldiers  were  in 
hospital.  Our  information  leading  us  to  believe  them  very 
inadequately  guarded,  we  hoped  to  make  some  prisoners, 
from  whom  the  information  we  sought  could  in  all  likeli- 
hood be  obtained.  More  than  once  during  the  day  our  road 
was  crossed  by  parties  similar  to  our  own,  sent  forward  to 
reconnoitre ;  and  towards  evening  a  party  of  the  23d  Light 
Dragoons,  returning  towards  Talavera,  informed  us  that 
the  French  had  retired  from  Torrijos,  which  was  now 
occupied  by  an  English  detachment  under  my  old  friend 
O'Shaughnessy. 

I  need  not  say  with  what  pleasure  I  heard  this  piece  of 
news,  and  eagerly  pressed  forward,  preferring  the  warm 
shelter  and  hospitable  board  the  major  was  certain  of  pos- 
sessing, to  the  cold  blast  and  dripping  grass  of  a  bivouac. 
Night,  however,  fell  fast ;  darkness,  without  an  intervening 
twilight,  set  in,  and  we  lost  our  way.  A  bleak  table-land 
with  here  and  there  a  stunted,  leafless  tree  was  all  that 
we  could  discern  by  the  pale  light  of  a  new  moon.  An 
apparently  interminable  heath  uncrossed  by  path  or  foot- 
track  was  before  us,  and  our  jaded  cattle  seemed  to  feel 
the  dreary  uncertainty  of  the  prospect  as  sensitively  as  our- 
selves, —  stumbling  and  over-reaching  at  every  step. 

Cursing  my  ill-luck  for  such  a  misadventure,  and  once 
more  picturing  to  my  mind  the  bright  blazing  hearth  and 
smoking  supper  I  had  hoped  to  partake  of,  I  called  a  halt, 
and  prepared  to  pass  the  night.  My  decision  was  hastened 
by  finding  myself  suddenly  in  a  little  grove  of  pine-trees 
whose  shelter  was  not  to  be  despised ;  besides  that,  our 
bivouac  fires  were  now  sure  of  being  supplied. 

It  was  fortunate  the  night  was  fine,  though  dark.  In  a 
calm,  still  atmosphere,  when  not  a  leaf  moved  nor  a  branch 
stirred,  we  picketed  our  tired  horses,  and  shaking  out  their 
forage,  heaped  up  in  the  midst  a  blazing  fire  of  the  fir-tree. 


THE  OUTPOST.  487 

Our  humble  supper  was  produced,  and  even  with  the  still 
lingering  revery  of  the  major  and  his  happier  destiny,  I 
began  to  feel  comfortable. 

My  troopers,  who  probably  had  not  been  flattering  their 
imaginations  with  such  gourviand  reflections  and  views,  sat 
happily  around  their  cheerful  blaze,  chatting  over  the  great 
battle  they  had  so  lately  witnessed,  and  mingling  their 
stories  of  some  comrade's  prowess  with  sorrows  for  the 
dead  and  proud  hopes  for  the  future.  In  the  midst,  upon 
his  knees  beside  the  flame,  was  Mike,  disputing,  detailing, 
guessing,  and  occasionally  inventing,  —  all  his  arguments 
only  tending  to  one  view  of  the  late  victory :  "  That  it  was 
the  Lord's  mercy  the  most  of  the  48th  was  Irish,  or  we 
would  n't  be  sitting  there  now  !  " 

Despite  Mr.  Free's  conversational  gifts,  however,  his 
audience  one  by  one  dropped  off  in  sleep,  leaving  him  sole 
monarch  of  the  watch-fire,  and  —  what  he  thought  more  of 
—  a  small  brass  kettle  nearly  full  of  brandy -and-water. 
This  latter,  I  perceived,  he  produced  when  all  was  tranquil, 
and  seemed,  as  he  cast  a  furtive  glance  around,  to  assure 
himself  that  he  was  the  only  company  present. 

Lying  some  yards  olf,  I  watched  him  for  about  an  hour, 
as  he  sat  rubbing  his  hands  before  the  blaze,  or  lifting  the 
little  vessel  to  his  lips ;  his  droll  features  ever  and  anon 
seeming  acted  upon  by  some  passing  dream  of  former  devil- 
ment, as  he  smiled  and  muttered  some  sentences  in  an 
under-voice.  Sleep  at  length  overpowered  me ;  but  my  last 
waking  thoughts  were  haunted  with  a  singular  ditty  by 
which  Mike  accompanied  himself  as  he  kept  burnishing  the 
buttons  of  my  jacket  before  the  fire,  now  and  then  inter- 
rupting the  melody  by  a  recourse  to  the  copper. 

"  Well,  well ;  you  're  clean  enough  now,  and  sure  it 's 
little  good  brightening  you  up,  when  you '11  be  as  bad  to- 
morrow. Like  his  father's  son,  devil  a  lie  in  it !  Nothing 
would  serve  him  but  his  best  blue  jacket  to  fight  in,  as  if 
the  French  was  particular  what  they  killed  us  in.  Pleasant 
trade,  upon  my  conscience  !  Well,  never  mind.  That 's 
beautiful  sperets,  anyhow.  Your  health,  Mickey  Free  ;  it  'a 
yourself  that  stands  to  me. 


488  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

"  It 's  little  for  glory  I  care ; 

Sure  ambition  is  only  a  fable  ; 
I  'd  as  soon  be  myself  as  Lord  Mayor, 

With  lashings  of  drink  on  the  table. 
I  like  to  lie  down  in  the  sun 

And  dravie,  when  my  faytures  is  scorchin* 
That  when  I  'm  too  ould  for  more  fun, 

Why,  I  '11  marry  a  wife  with  a  fortune. 

**  And  in  winter,  with  bacon  and  eggs, 
And  a  place  at  the  tmf-fire  basking, 

Sip  my  punch  as  I  roasted  my  legs. 

Oh,  the  devil  a  more  I  'd  be  asking  ! 

For  I  have  n't  njanius  for  work,  — 
It  was  never  the  gift  of  the  Bradies, — 

But  I  'd  make  a  most  illigant  Turk, 
For  I  'm  fond  of  tobacco  and  ladies." 

This  confounded  refrain  kept  ringing  through  my  dream, 
and  "  tobacco  and  ladies "  mingled  with  my  thoughts  of 
storm  and  battle-field  long  after  their  very  gifted  author 
had  composed  himself  to  slumber. 

Sleep,  and  sound  sleep,  came  at  length,  and  many  hours 
elapsed  ere  I  awoke.  When  I  did  so,  my  fire  was  reduced 
to  its  last  embers.  Mike,  like  the  others,  had  sunk  in  slum- 
ber, and  midst  the  gray  dawn  that  precedes  the  morning,  I 
could  just  perceive  the  dark  shadows  of  my  troopers  as  they 
lay  in  groups  around. 

The  fatigues  of  the  previous  day  had  so  completely  over- 
come me,  that  it  was  with  difficulty  I  could  arouse  myself 
so  far  as  to  heap  fresh  logs  upon  the  fire.  This  I  did  with 
my  eyes  half  closed,  and  in  that  listless,  dreamy  state  which 
seems  the  twilight  of  sleep. 

I  managed  so  much,  however,  and  was  returning  to  my 
couch  beneath  a  tree,  when  suddenly  an  object  presented  itself 
to  my  eyes  that  absolutely  rooted  me  to  the  spot.  At  about 
twenty  or  thirty  yards  distant,  where  but  the  moment  before 
the  long  line  of  horizon  terminated  the  view,  there  now  stood 
a  huge  figure  of  some  ten  or  twelve  feet  in  height,  —  two 
heads,  which  surmounted  this  colossal  personage,  moved  al- 
ternately from  side  to  side,  while  several  arms  waved  loosely 
to  and  fro  in  the  most  strange  and  uncouth  manner.     My 


THE  OUTPOST.  489 

first  impression  was  that  a  dream  had  conjured  up  this  dis- 
torted image ;  but  when  I  had  assured  myself  by  repeated 
pinchings  and  shakings  that  I  was  really  awake,  still  it  re- 
mained there.  I  was  never  much  given  to  believe  in  ghosts ; 
but  even  had  I  been  so,  this  strange  apparition  must  have 
puzzled  me  as  much  as  ever,  for  it  could  not  have  been  the 
representative  of  anything  I  ever  heard  of  before. 

A  vague  suspicion  that  some  French  trickery  was  con- 
cerned, induced  me -to  challenge  it  in  French;  so,  without 
advancing  a  step,  I  halloed  out,  "  Qui  va  la  ?  " 

JVIy  voice  aroused  a  sleeping  soldier,  who,  springing  up 
beside  'me,  had  hi^  carbine  at  the  cock ;  while,  equally 
thunderstruck  with  myself,  he  gazed  at  the  monster. 

"  Qui  va  la  ?  "  shouted  I  again,  and  no  answer  was  re- 
turned, when  suddenly  the  huge  object  wheeled  rapidly 
around,  and  without  waiting  for  any  further  parley,  made 
for  the  thicket. 

The  tramp  of  a  horse's  feet  now  assured  me  as  to  the 
nature  of  at  least  part  of  the  spectacle,  when  click  went  the 
trigger  behind  me,  and  the  trooper's  ball  rushed  whistling 
through  the  brushwood.  In  a  moment  the  whole  party  were 
up  and  stirring. 

"  This  way,  lads  !  "  cried  I,  as  drawing  my  sabre,  I  dashed 
into  the  pine  wood. 

For  a  few  moments  all  was  dark  as  midnight ;  but  as  we 
proceeded  farther,  we  came  out  upon  a  little  open  space 
which  commanded  the  plain  beneath  for  a  great  extent. 

"There  it  goes  !"  said  one  of  the  men,  pointing  to  a  nar- 
row, beaten  path,  in  which  the  tall  figure  moved  at  a  slow 
and  stately  pace,  while  still  the  same  wild  gestures  of  hea'is 
and  limbs  continued. 

"  Don't  fire,  men  !  don't  fire  ! "  I  cried,  "  but  follow  me," 
as  I  set  forward  as  hard  as  I  could. 

As  we  neared  it,  the  frantic  gesticulations  grew  more  and 
more  remarkable,  while  some  stray  words,  which  we  half 
caught,  sounded  like  English  in  our  ears.  We  were  now 
within  pistol-shot  distance,  when  suddenly  the  horse  —  for 
that  much  at  least  we  were  assured  of  —  stumbled  and  fell 
forward,  precipitating  the  remainder  of  the  object  headlong 
into  the  road. 


490  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

In  a  second  we  were  upon  the  spot,  when  the  first  sounds 
which  greeted  me  were  the  following,  uttered  in  an  accent 
by  no  means  new  to  me  :  — 

"  Oh,  blessed  Virgin !  Was  n't  it  yourself  that  threw  me 
in  the  mud,  or  my  nose  was  done  for  ?  Shaugh,  Shaugh, 
my  boy,  since  we  are  taken,  tip  them  the  blarney,  and  say 
we  're  generals  of  division ! " 

I  need  not  say  with  what  a  burst  of  laughter  I  received 
this  very  original  declaration. 

"1  ought  to  know  that  laugh,"  cried  a  voice  I  at  once 
knew  to  be  my  friend  O'Shaughnessy's.  "  Are  you  Charles 
O'Malley,  by  any  chance  in  life  ?  " 

"The  same,  Major,  and  delighted  to  meet  you;  though, 
faith,  we  were  near  giving  you  a  rather  warm  reception. 
What,  in  the  Devil's  name,  did  you  represent,  just  now  ?  " 

"  Ask  Maurice,  there,  bad  luck  to  him.  I  wish  the  Devil 
had  him  when  he  persuaded  me  into  it." 

"  Introduce  me  to  your  friend,"  replied  the  other,  rubbing 
his  shins  as  he  spoke.  "  Mr.  O'Mealey,"  —  so  he  called  me, 
—  "I  think.  Happy  to  meet  you;  my  mother  was  a  Ryan 
of  Killdooley,  married  to  a  first  cousin  of  your  father's 
before  she  took  Mr.  Quill,  my  respected  progenitor.  I'm 
Dr.  Quill  of  the  48th,  more  commonly  called  Maurice  Quill. 
Tear  and  ages  !  how  sore  my  back  is  !  It  was  all  the  fault 
of  the  baste,  Mr,  O'Mealey.  We  set  out  in  search  of  you 
this  morning,  to  bring  you  back  with  us  to  Torrijos,  but  we 
fell  in  with  a  very  pleasant  funeral  at  Barcaventer,  and 
joined  them.  They  invited  us,  I  may  say,  to  spend  the 
day ;  and  a  very  jovial  day  it  was.  I  was  the  chief  mourner, 
and  carried  a  very  big  candle  through  the  village,  in  con- 
sideration of  as  fine  a  meat-pie,  and  as  much  lush  as  my 
grief  permitted  me  to  indulge  in  afterwards.  But,  my  dear 
sir,  when  it  was  all  finished,  we  found  ourselves  nine  miles 
from  our  quarters ;  and  as  neither  of  us  were  in  a  very  be- 
fitting condition  for  pedestrian  exercise,  we  stole  one  of  the 
leaders  out  of  the  hearse,  —  velvet,  plumes,  and  all,  —  and 
set  off  home. 

"  When  we  came  upon  your  party  we  were  not  over  clear 
whether  you  were  English,  Portuguese,  or  French,  and  that 
was  the  reason  I  called  out  to  you,  '  God  save  all  here ! '  in 


THE  OUTPOST.  491 

Irish.  Your  polite  answer  was  a  shot,  which  struck  the  old 
horse  in  the  knee,  and  although  we  wheeled  about  in  double- 
quick,  we  never  could  get  him  out  of  his  professional  habits 
on  the  road.  He  had  a  strong  notion  he  was  engaged  in 
another  funeral,  —  as  he  was  very  likely  to  be,  —  and  the  devil 
a  bit  faster  than  a  dead  march  could  we  get  him  to,  with  all 
our  thrashing.  Orderly  time  for  men  in  a  hurry,  with  a 
whole  platoon  blazing  away  behind  them  !  But  long  life  to 
the  cavalry,  they  never  hit  anything  !  " 

While  he  continued  to  run  on  in  this  manner,  we  reached 
our  watch-fire,  when  what  was  my  surprise  to  discover,  in 
my  newly-made  acquaintance,  the  worthy  doctor  I  had  seen 
a  day  or  two  before  operating  at  the  fountain  at  Talavera. 

"  Well,  Mr.  O'Mealey,"  said  he,  as  he  seated  himself  be- 
fore the  blaze,  "  What  is  the  state  of  the  larder  ?  Anything 
savory,  —  anything  drink-inspiring  to  be  had  ?  " 

"  I  fear,  Doctor,  my  fare  is  of  the  very  humblest ;  still  —  " 

"  What  are  the  fluids,  Charley  ?  "  cried  the  major  ;  "  the 
cruel  performance  I  have  been  enacting  on  that  cursed  beast 
has  left  me  in  a  fever." 

"  This  was  a  pigeon-pie,  formerly,"  said  Dr.  Quill,  inves- 
tigating the  ruined  walls  of  a  pasty;  "and,  —  but  come, 
here  's  a  duck ;  and  if  my  nose  deceive  me  not,  a  very  toler- 
able ham.  Peter  —  Larry  —  Patsy —  What's  the  name 
of  your  familiar  there  ?  " 

"  Mickey  —  Mickey  Free." 

"  Mickey  Free,  then ;  come  here,  avick  !  Devise  a  little 
drink,  my  son,  —  none  of  the  weakest  —  no  lemon  —  hot ! 
You  understand,  hot !  That  chap  has  an  eye  for  punch  ; 
there 's  no  mistaking  an  Irish  fellow,  Nature  has  endowed 
them  richly,  —  fine  features  and  a  beautiful  absorbent  sys- 
tem !  That 's  the  gift !  Just  look  at  him,  blowing  up  the 
fire,  —  is  n't  he  a  pictiire  ?  Well,  O'Mealey,  I  was  fretting 
that  we  had  n't  you  up  at  Torrijos ;  we  were  enjoying  life 
very  respectably, — we  established  a  little  system  of  small 
tithes  upon  fowl,  sheep,  pigs'  heads,  and  wine  skins  that 
throve  remarkably  for  the  time.  Here  's  the  lush  !  Put  it 
down  there,  Mickey,  in  the  middle ;  that 's  right.  Your 
health,  Shaugh.  O'Mealey,  here  's  a  troop  to  you ;  and  in 
the  mean  time  I  '11  give  you  a  chant :  — 


492  CHARLES  O'MALLEY. 

*  Come,  ye  jovial  souls,  don't  over  the  bowl  be  sleeping, 
Nor  let  the  grog  go  round  like  a  cripple  creeping  ; 
If  your  care  comes,  up,  in  the  liquor  sink  it. 
Pass  along  the  lush,  I  'm  the  boy  can  drink  it. 

Is  n't  that  so,  Mrs.  Mary  Callaghan  ? 

Is  n't  that  so,  Mrs.  Mary  Callaghan  ? ' 

"  Shaugh,  my  hearty,  this  begins  to  feel  comfortable. 

"Your  man,  O'Mealey,  has  a  most  judicious  notion  of 
punch  for  a  small  party;  and  though  one  has  prejudices 
about  a  table,  chairs,  and  that  sort  of  thing,  take  my  word 
for  it,  it 's  better  than  fighting  the  French,  any  day." 

"  Well,  Charley,  it  certainly  did  look  quite  awkward 
enough  the  other  day  towards  three  o'clock,  when  the  Legion 
fell  back  before  that  French  column,  and  broke  the  Guards 
behind  them." 

"  Yes,  you  're  quite  right ;  but  I  think  every  one  felt  that 
the  confusion  was  but  momentary,  —  the  gallant  Forty- 
eighth  was  up  in  an  instant." 

"  Faith,  I  can  answer  for  their  alacrity !  "  said  the  doc- 
tor ;  "  I  was  making  my  way  to  the  rear  with  all  convenient 
despatch,  when  an  aide-de-camp  called  out,  — 

"  '  Cavalry  coming  !     Take  care.  Forty-eighth  ! ' 

"  '  Left  face,  wheel !  Fall  in  there,  fall  in  there  ! '  I  heard 
on  every  side,  and  soon  found  myself  standing  in  a  square, 
with  Sir  Arthur  himself  and  Hill  and  the  rest  of  them  all 
around  me. 

" '  Steady,  men !  Steady,  now ! '  said  Hill,  as  he  rode 
around  the  ranks,  while  we  saw  an  awful  column  of  cuiras- 
siers forming  on  the  rising  ground  to  our  left. 

" '  Here  they  come  ! '  said  Sir  Arthur,  as  the  French 
came  powdering  along,  making  the  very  earth  tremble 
beneath  them. 

"  My  first  thought  was,  '  The  devils  are  mad,  and  they  '11 
ride  down  into  us,  before  they  know  they  're  kilt ! '  And 
sure  enough,  smash  into  our  first  rank  they  pitched,  sabring 
and  cutting  all  before  them  ;  when  at  last  the  word  *  Fire  ! ' 
was  given,  and  the  whole  head  of  the  column  broke  like  a 
shell,  and  rolled  horse  over  man  on  the  earth. 

"  <  Very  well  done  !  very  well,  indeed  ! '  said  Sir  Arthur, 


THE   OUTPOST.  493 

turning  as  coolly  round  to  me  as  if  he  was  asking  for  more 
gravy. 

"  '  Mighty  well  done  ! '  said  I,  in  reply ;  and  resolving  not 
to  be  outdone  in  coolness,  I  pulled  out  my  snuff-box  and 
offered  him  a  pinch,  saying,  'The  real  thing,  Sir  Arthur; 
our  own  countryman,  —  blackguard.' 

"  He  gave  a  little  grim  kind  of  a  smile,  took  a  pinch,  and 
then  called  out,  — 

'* '  Let  Sherbroke  advance  ! '  while  turning  again  towards 
me,  he  said,  '  Where  are  your  people,  Colonel  ?  ' 

"  *  Colonel ! '  thought  I ;  '  is  it  possible  he  's  going  to  pro- 
mote rae  ? '  But  before  I  could  answer,  he  was  talking  to 
another.  Meanwhile  Hill  came  up,  and  looking  at  me 
steadily,  burst  out  with,  — 

"  '  Why  the  devil  are  you  here,  sir  ?  Why  ain't  you  at 
the  rear  ? ' 

"  '  Upon  my  conscience,'  said  I,  '  that 's  the  very  thing  I  'm 
puzzling  myself  about  this  minute  !  But  if  you  think  it 's 
pride  in  me,  you  're  greatly  mistaken,  for  I  'd  rather  the 
greatest  scoundrel  in  Dublin  was  kicking  me  down  Sackville 
Street,  than  be  here  now  ! ' 

"  You  'd  think  it  was  fun  I  was  making,  if  you  heard  how 
they  all  laughed.  Hill  and  Cameron  and  the  others  louder 
than  any. 

"  '  Who  is  he  ?  '  said  Sir  Arthur,  quickly. 

" '  Dr.  Quill,  surgeon  of  the  Thirty-third,  where  I  ex- 
changed, to  be  near  my  brother,  sir,  in  the  Thirty-fourth,' 

"  '  A  doctor,  —  a  surgeon !  That  fellow  a  surgeon  !  Damn 
him,  I  took  him  for  Colonel  Grosvenor  !  I  say,  Gordon, 
these  medical  officers  must  be  docked  of  their  fine  feathers, 
there's  no  knowing  them  from  the  staff, — look  to  that  in 
the  next  general  order.' 

"  And  sure  enough  they  left  us  bare  and  naked  the  next 
morning ;  and  if  the  French  sharpshooters  pick  us  down 
now,  devil  mend  them  for  wasting  powder,  for  if  they  look 
in  the  orderly  books,  they  '11  find  their  mistake." 

"  Ah,  Maurice,  Maurice ! "  said  Shaugh,  with  a  sigh, 
"  you  '11  never  improve,  —  you  '11  never  improve  !  " 

"  Why  the  devil  would  I  ?  "  said  he.  "  Ain't  I  at  the  top 
of  my  profession  —  full  surgeon  —  with  nothing  to  expect, 


494  CHARLES   O'MALLEY. 

nothing  to  hope  for  ?  Oh,  if  I  had  only  remained  in  the 
light  company,  what  would  n't  I  be  now  ?  " 

"  Then  you  were  not  always  a  doctor  ?  "  said  I. 

"  Upon  my  conscience,  I  was  n't,"  said  he.  "  When 
Shaugh  knew  me  first,  I  was  the  Adonis  of  the  Roscom- 
mon militia,  with  more  heiresses  in  my  list  than  any  man 
in  the  regiment ;  but  Shaugh  and  myself  were  always 
u.nlucky." 

"  Poor  Mrs.  Rogers  ! "  said  the  major,  pathetically,  drink- 
ing off  his  glass  and  heaving  a  profound  sigh. 

"  Ah,  the  darling  ! "  said  the  doctor.  "  If  it  was  n't  for  a 
jug  of  punch  that  lay  on  the  hall  table,  our  fortune  in  life 
would  be  very  different." 

"True  for  you,  Maurice  ! "  quoth  O'Shaughnessy. 

"  I  should  like  much  to  hear  that  story,"  said  I,  pushing 
the  jug  briskly  round. 

"  He  '11  tell  it  you,"  said  O'Shaughnessy,  lighting  his 
cigar,  and  leaning  pensively  back  against  a  tree,  —  "  he  '11 
tell  it  you." 

"I  will,  with  pleasure,"  said  Maurice.  "Let  Mr.  Free, 
meantime,  amuse  himself  with  the  punch-bowl,  and  I  '11 
relate  it." 


END    OP   VOLUMK  I. 


University  Press  :  John  Wilson  &  Son,  Cambridge,  U.S.A. 


48^4- 

no4 


THE  LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

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